For the first time since 2010 a new champion will be crowned in the women’s discus after seven-time European champion Sandra Elkasevic, formerly Perkovic, announced she would not be competing this season to ensure longevity in the sport.
This means that the door is open for a new athlete to take the crown for themselves and both Germany and the Netherlands have multiple eligible bachelorettes.
European record - Gabriele Reinsch (GDR/ GER), 76.80m
European lead - Jorinde van Klinken (NED), 70.99m
Championship record - Diane Sachse (GDR/ GER), 71.36m
Roma 2024 medallists:
- Sandra Elkasevic (CRO), 67.04m
- Jorinde van Klinken (NED), 65.99m
- Liliana Ca (POR), 64.53m
Five names to watch:
- Jorinde van Klinken (NED)
- Alida van Daalen (NED)
- Shanice Craft (GER)
- Melina Robert-Michon (FRA)
- Vanessa Kamga (SWE)
Dutch duo Jorinde van Klinken and Alida van Daalen will be hoping to take the top two spots on the podium in Birmingham having thrown 70.99m and 69.31m respectively this year.
Van Klinken’s season’s best was thrown in Ramona, which benefits from ideal wind conditions for discus throw if you know how to use them, but has also thrown 67.99m and 68.21m this season.
After taking silver at the world championships in Tokyo last year, van Klinken will certainly be looking to get her hands on gold and take her maiden senior title.
While van Daalen’s season’s best is 69.31m thrown during an NCAA meet in Kentucky in May, and puts her second in Europe this year.
However van Klinken and van Daalen’s head-to-head results stand at 22-1 with the European leader often outperforming her countrywoman, including most recently at the London Diamond League and the Dutch national championships.
Marike Steinacker leads the German campaign with her season’s best of 66.55m, thrown in Ramona, with her second best competition measuring at 65.54m.
Though Shanice Craft, Germany’s three-time European bronze medallist, didn’t compete in Ramona and has thrown beyond 66m twice this year as she look to make her fourth podium.
Germany’s line up is completed by Leia Braunagel and Kristin Pudenz who have thrown 64.96m and 64.28m respectively this season.
French discus royalty will also be returning for her ninth European Athletics Championships, as Melina Robert-Michon looks to take her second medal at these championships after taking silver in 2014.
Sweden’s Vanessa Kamga will also take to the circle having thrown a season’s best of 65.30m at the London Diamond League in July.
She also threw 64.26m at the Swedish Championships, showing a real chance to threaten for medals in Birmingham.
Liliana Ca, of Portugal, will also return with hopes of upgrading her bronze from Rome after throwing 64.08m this year.