Ahead of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships which begin on Monday (10) morning, two of the standout international athletes shared their thoughts and expectations with the media at the official press conference which was held at the Alexander Stadium.
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro is expected to play a starring role in the women’s 800m which will be one of the must-watch events of the championships. Werro has enjoyed a rapid ascent up the world all-time list having clocked 1:53.98 and 1:53.80 this summer, making her the third fastest athlete in history at the distance.
Werro is no stranger to making podiums in major events. She won back-to-back European U20 titles in 2021 and 2023 before stepping up to win U23 gold in 2025 in a championship record of 1:57.42. She won her first senior medal at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun where she won silver behind Keely Hodgkinson who is targeting her third European title in Birmingham.
On her significant success at age-group level…
"For me it was really important to continue running at the junior events. It gave me a lot of experience just to be around the world and to stay focused on my goal when there are a lot of things going on. For me, it was really cool to win a lot of things in a small time."
On if she can break the world record…
"I don’t know! Now it's the European Championships and I don’t think it’s the best place to do a world record because the goal is to win a medal. I don’t know if the race will be fast or if it will be a tactical race. I don’t have the world record now in my head - my goal for the European Athletics Championships is to make the podium."
On her trademark celebration…
"The story behind the celebration is when I was younger - maybe 12 years old - my father would tell me before the race ‘I have to be a lion and I should not be shy.’ I was really shy as a child so it was from there. At the beginning of this year, I decided to do a celebration with the lion. This is the sign of the lion."
On the level of the women’s 800m globally…
"Right now we have a great intensity in the 800m. For me it’s really cool - it’s better when we have a lot of athletes to push us to be great everyday. I think it’s easier to achieve really fast times as we have to push to the end of the race."
Jessica Schilder is targeting her third successive European title in the women’s shot put which takes place on Monday. The Dutchwoman is the only woman this decade to have broken the 21 metre-barrier with a mark of 21.09m in the Shanghai Diamond League.
In fact, Schilder has broken 20 metres in all but one of her outdoor competitions this summer, a feat she will be aiming to continue tomorrow as she bids for a hat-trick of titles.
On becoming the first woman in her generation to break 21 metres…
"It was crazy, I didn’t expect it. There are a few girls aiming for it but training went great and I deserved to do it."
On what the Brits can learn from her having won European indoor gold in front of her Dutch fans in Apeldoorn last year…
“Don’t get nervous when some kind of prince or queen turns up! That was my mistake in Apeldoorn [King Willem-Alexander was in attendance on the final day.] But try to be relaxed and enjoy the atmosphere. It will be a great atmosphere for sure.
On her rivalry with Olympic champion Yemisi Mabry (Ogunleye) from Germany…
"Well I saw the pictures of her winning and I’m very jealous! We just love to compete together. I’m really happy she’s here as well and I think we are going to push each other to do really great things.”
On having the shot put qualifying and final on the same day…
"It’s difficult, especially when you get older, but my main focus is Los Angeles where there is - of course - qualification in the morning and a final in the evening so I don’t mind. However, when you want to see big throws, you need a bit more rest. If you want to see big throws, there needs to be a day between but at the moment I’m not complaining because it will be the same so it’s good practice."