The women's triple jump is set to usher in a new era at Birmingham 2026.
In the absence of Spain's defending champion Ana Peleteiro-Compaoré, who has recently become a mother for the second time, the battle for European gold is more open than it has been for some years, with a host of athletes capable of claiming a first major outdoor title.
Romania's Diana Ana Maria Ion heads the European lists after a breakthrough season, but Belgium's Ilona Masson, Slovenia's Neja Filipič and Italy's rising star Erika Saraceni are all among a tightly packed group of contenders capable of claiming their first senior outdoor European title.
European record – Inessa Kravets (UKR) 15.50m
European lead – Diana Ana Maria Ion (ROU) 14.56m
Championship record – Tatyana Lebedeva (RUS) 15.15m
Rome 2024 medallists
1. Ana Peleteiro-Compaoré (ESP) 14.85m
2. Tuğba Danışmaz (TUR) 14.57m
3. Ilionis Guillaume (FRA) 14.43m
Five names to watch:
- Diana Ana Maria Ion (ROU)
- Ilona Masson (BEL)
- Neja Filipič (SLO)
- Erika Saraceni (ITA)
- Ivana Španović (SRB)
Diana Ana Maria Ion has emerged as Europe's leading triple jumper in 2026. The Romanian, who won European indoor silver behind Peleteiro-Compaoré last year has consolidated this year, extending her personal best to 14.56m to top the continental rankings.
Still only 25, Birmingham presents a golden opportunity to convert that consistency into her first major senior outdoor medal.
Belgium's Ilona Masson has been one of the revelations of the season, rising from domestic success to genuine international contender.
The 24-year-old has improved to 14.52m and established herself among Europe's elite, arriving in Birmingham with the confidence that she can challenge for the biggest title of her career.
Slovenia's Neja Filipič has steadily developed into one of the continent's most consistent performers. After extending her lifetime best to 14.50m this season, she arrives in Birmingham with realistic ambitions of winning her first major outdoor medal.
Italy's Erika Saraceni has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past two years. After winning world U20 bronze in 2024, she added European U20 gold last year to announce herself as one of the continent's brightest prospects.
Most recently, the 20-year-old defeated the vastly more experienced Dariya Derkach to win the Italian title with a personal best of 14.41m in her first competition of the season after health problems, underlining her credentials as a genuine medal contender.
Experience could also prove decisive. Tuğba Danışmaz returns as the reigning European silver medallist and the 2023 European indoor champion.
Although she has yet to reproduce her best form this season, the Turkish athlete has already demonstrated her ability to peak for major championships and cannot be discounted if she rediscovers that level.
France's Ilionis Guillaume also returns after winning bronze in Rome two years ago. Like Danışmaz, she has yet to hit top form in 2026, but the Frenchwoman has already shown she can produce her best performances when championship medals are on the line.
No preview would be complete without Ivana Španović. Better known as one of the greatest long jumpers of her generation, the Serbian has increasingly focused on the triple jump in recent seasons and remains a formidable championship competitor.
At 36, her vast experience could prove crucial in the intense environment of a major final.