The European Athletics U18 Championships came to a conclusion on Sunday (21) and European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov has already hailed Banska Bystrica 2024 - the fourth edition of the champiuonships - as the "best ever" since the event launched in 2016.
Here are some of the numbers behind a memorable four days in Slovakia, with the championships being held on a track installed by European Athletics Partner and Preferred Supplier CONICA.
1133
A record number of athletes entered for the championships
48
European Athletics Member Federations competed in Banska Bystrica
20,000
Estimated total attendance at the SNP DUKLA Stadium over eight sessions across four days
3
Number of European U18 bests established
14
World U18 leads over the course of the competition
15
Championship best performances
15
Medals won by Italy, who topped the medal table
29
New European U18 leads over four days
79
National U18 bests
595
Personal bests
"Best ever"
At the conclusion of four pulsating days, President Dobromir Karamarinov said: “I want to give a big thanks to the Slovak Athletic Federation - they were an excellent championships.
"They have already organised SPAR European Cross Country Championships, European Throwing Cup and European Athletics Team Championships, but now this is the first European Championships on the track.
“This is such as important age group because for us – at European Athletics - U18 is a crucial age. When World Athletics decided to stop such a championships, we in European Athletics decided we have to establish such a championships.
“This is the fourth edition, but I can declare this is the best ever European Championships in this age group. From the stadium and the warm up track, this is really excellent. It is exactly right for this size of championships.”
"We fulfilled all our expectations"
President of the Slovak Athletics Association and the head of the Local Organizing Committee of the Banska Bystrica 2024 European Athletics U18 Championships Petar Korčok was also thrilled with the event and the way it was delivered.
""I received a lot of congratulations and thanks from individual delegates, presidents of [European Athletics] Member Federations and from the European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov," said Korčok.
"Everyone feels that we surprised them with the level of organisation of the event. We appeared on the map of European organisers in a very favourable light. We fulfilled all our expectations and were able to cope with the great challenge that we set ourselves many years ago,
“Of course, there were many challenges, but organisationally we passed with flying colours. Also, our volunteers, referees and, last but not least, the athletes proved that they have what it takes."
The next European Athletics U18 Championships will take place in Rieti, Italy between 16-19 July 2026.