The 2025 European Athletics Congress was held on Saturday (25) morning in Batumi, Georgia and opened by European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov.
Delegates from 48 Member Federations attended the Congress where key governance, strategic and constitutional matters were addressed.
“I would like to thank the Georgian Athletics Federation and our hosts in Batumi once again for their indomitable hard work in helping to stage not just the Congress but also the Convention and the Golden Tracks. This has been the biggest corporate event in European Athletics history and our hosts have demonstrated not just their exceptional organisational abilities but warm and generous hospitality over the last few days
“At this Congress, we not only reaffirmed our unity and commitment to good governance and transparency but also took forward-looking decisions that will shape the future of athletics in Europe both on and off the field of play,” said President Karamarinov.
While classed as a non-elective Congress, one seat on the European Athletics Council was filled at the European Athletics Congress following a resignation.
Panagiotis Dimakos (GRE) was duly elected to the European Athletics Council ahead of Christoph Seiler (SUI) and Olha Saladukha (UKR), the two other candidates for the vacancy.
He will serve on the European Athletics Council for the remainder of the four-year term until the 2027 European Athletics Congress.
Amendments of the Constitution unanimously approved
Among other changes, as part of the commitment of European Athletics to continue moving towards good governance, principles in introducing new candidacy and elections regulations was approved unanimously by the Congress.
New events for European Athletics Championships also approved
The European Athletics Congress also formally approved the changes to the programme for the European Athletics Championships.
The race walking disciplines will be held over the half marathon and marathon distances (although only the half marathon will be part of Olympic-year editions of the European Athletics Championships) and the mixed 4x100m relay will also be integrated into the programme from 2026.
The European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships will be changed to the European Trail Running Championships from the 2028 edition onwards.
Delegates were also given presentations on both the Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships and Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships by the respective Local Organising Committees.
Long-standing servants of the sport recognised
As is customary at the European Athletics Congress, the Plaque of Merit and Golden Pin were bestowed to six outstanding servants of the sport who have made a profound and lasting impact on the sport.
Plaque of Merit recipients
Philippe Bardet (SUI)
Jose Maria Odriozola (ESP)
Anna Riccardi (ITA)
Golden Pin recipients
Anders Borgström (SWE)
Galia Puhaleva (BUL) - awarded posthumously
Jean-Pierre Schoebel (MON)
More information about these honours can be found here.
Florence to host 2027 European Athletics Congress
The 2027 European Athletics Congress was also awarded to Florence, Italy from 22-25 April with the Congress itself taking place on 24 April.
The 2027 European Athletics Congress will be classed as an elective Congress where the positions of President, Vice Presidents and Council Members will all be filled.
A Council report to Congress detailing activities taken by the European Athletics Council since the last Congress was delivered by European Athletics Vice President Cherry Alexander.
A progress report on Human Rights was also delivered to the Congress by Chair of the Governance and Integrity Commission - and European Athletics Vice-President - Jean Gracia and Chair of the Human Rights Working Group Toralf Nilson.
Financial reports 2023-2024 and plans for 2026–2027, including audited statements for 2023 and 2024, were also presented and unanimously approved by the Congress. KPMG was also approved at the European Athletics Congress as the official financial auditor for 2026-2027.
"The 2025 European Athletics Congress in Batumi has demonstrated the strength and unity of our sport across Europe. We are deeply grateful to our hosts for their professionalism and hospitality. This Congress has reaffirmed our shared commitment to good governance and integrity, and the continued growth of athletics at every level,” said European Athletics CEO Christian Milz.
