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| Christophe Lemaitre has said he will be competing in Helsinki at the 2012 European Athletics Championships. |
European Athletics' Member Federations across the continent have registered strong squads in the preliminary entries for the 2012 European athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
The overall number of athletes in Helsinki 2012 through 27 June to 1 July will be on par with past European Athletics Championships. It must be noted that Race Walking and Marathon will not be a part of the European Athletics Championships in the Olympic year.
According to the preliminary entries a total of 1,330 athletes have been registered to compete at Helsinki 2012. The number is almost equal to the preliminary entries received for Barcelona 2010, which gives a true indication of the value associated with the new two-year format for the European Athletics Championships.
“The numbers speak for themselves. It gives a clear indication of the value European athletes associate with the European Athletics Championships. I am delighted to say that all the top athletics nations of Europe are sending very strong squad numbers. We are confident that Helsinki 2012 will provide a fantastic contest and a great championships that athletics fans will remember in years to come,” said European Athletics Director General Christian Milz.
Major athletics nations Germany, Great Britain, Russia, France, Spain, Italy and Poland will all send full squads to Helsinki. Helsinki 2012 General Secretary Esa Honkalehto highlighted that Great Britain was the first country to reserve accommodation and other services for a full squad.
'The Great Britain team was the first one to reserve their accommodation for the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, it shows that they believe Helsinki offers a great chance for some of their athletes to prepare for London 2012, and break the entry standards for the Olympics,' said Honkalehto.
The final entries for Helsinki 2012 will close on 17 June. Most of the top names in European athletics, such as French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre and Norwegian javelin superstar Andreas Thorkildsen, will be competing in Helsinki.
“I am very happy with the attitude shown by all the major European countries and top athletes. It shows the growing interest of the opportunities that Helsinki will offer to the sport in Europe. We have to remember that most of the European athletes’ main season goal will be to compete in Helsinki. On the other hand, those who will qualify for the Olympics are in need of quality competitions just 6 weeks before the London Games,” added Honkalehto.
Honkalehto promised that the Helsinki 2012 LOC will ensure top facilities for the athletes: “We will offer an unforgettable experience under the Finnish midnight sun. The new format of the European Athletics Championships will begin with an event that combines glorious tradition and enthusiastic fans with modern technology and design.'