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Sports sponsorship is part of the international SPAR voluntary food retail chain’s commitment to encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle. Global awareness of the SPAR Brand is achieved through digital and print coverage of sport sponsorship.

SPAR International

Joma Sport is the most important Spanish sports brand, with the highest sales volume worldwide, and is among the top ten global brands.

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Le Gruyère AOP is a very high quality natural cheese that has been produced for many centuries in an artisanal method without any additives.

Le Gruyère AOP

The philosophy of Toyo Tires is to combine driving pleasure with top performance. This is reflected in each of the products, as well as in its close partnership with European Athletics.

Toyo Tires

Through its operational department Eurovision Services, the EBU is continuously working to promote athletics by offering the most comprehensive coverage of European Athletics events all over Europe.

Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions for sports, games and leisure for over 40 years and is one of the world's market leaders and innovation drivers in this field.

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Stars of athletics beat world records using Polanik products. Polanik is held in high regard by many for top quality and advisory services for designers and investors of athletics stadiums.

Polanik

The Hotel Royal Savoy is proud to be the Preferred Hotel Partner of European Athletics in Lausanne since 2016, offering valuable support and accommodation services to European Athletics business activities throughout the year.

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The first companies of Würth MODYF Group were founded in Künzelsau, Germany and Neumarkt, Italy in 1997 as an independent subsidiary of the Würth Group and can thus look back on more than 25 years of experience in the field of workwear and safety footwear.

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The high jump challenges athletes to clear a steadily rising bar using a curved approach and a powerful take-off. Competitors must time their run-up perfectly, converting horizontal speed into vertical lift. The Fosbury Flop technique, now universal, requires exceptional body control as athletes arch over the bar. The event builds drama as the bar climbs higher and attempts become limited, often culminating in head-to-head duels.

High jump

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The longest standard track race, the 10,000 metres tests stamina, concentration and consistent pacing across twenty five laps. Athletes must manage physical strain as the race progresses, responding to surges and maintaining rhythm even as fatigue builds. Historically, European Championships have seen both cagey tactical contests and fast, relentless front-running performances. The event rewards those with strong endurance and the mental strength to stay composed for a long duration.

10,000 metres

The 100 metres is the shortest outdoor sprint and sets the benchmark for pure speed in athletics. Athletes accelerate from blocks and reach top velocity within seconds, maintaining form through a high-intensity dash down the straight. Reaction time is often decisive at this distance, with races won and lost by hundredths of a second. The event has a long tradition of showcasing the fastest men and women in Europe, and it remains one of the most watched races at any championship.

100 metres

The 5000 metres is a long-distance track race demanding aerobic endurance, tactical awareness and mental focus. Athletes complete twelve and a half laps, managing pace while responding to changes initiated by rivals. Success often depends on staying relaxed early before increasing pace in the closing stages. The event has evolved over time from slow, tactical races to consistently fast, aggressive championship battles.

5000 metres

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Relay events combine individual speed with coordinated teamwork. The 4x100 metres relies on fast, precise baton exchanges at high speed, with timing and communication proving as important as outright pace. The 4x400 metres tests speed-endurance, strategy and mental resilience as teams select athletes for specific legs. The mixed 4x400 metres adds the challenge of gender order selection, making race tactics central to success. Relays consistently produce some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments in championship athletics.

Relays: 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres, Mixed 4x400 metres

The 200 metres blends the power of the short sprint with the challenge of running a controlled curve. Athletes build speed through the bend before driving into the home straight, aiming to maintain momentum without tightening or losing stride rhythm. Success depends on combining fast acceleration with the ability to hold technique under pressure. The event has produced many memorable European championship performances, often highlighting specialist sprinters who excel in technical curve running.

200 metres

These sprint hurdles events require athletes to combine explosive speed with flawless rhythm over a set number of barriers. Runners must achieve a consistent stride pattern to clear each hurdle cleanly without breaking speed. A clipped hurdle can ruin momentum, while perfect technique creates a smooth, fast race. The short distance leaves no margin for error, making start reaction and precision critical.

100 metres hurdles (women) / 110 metres hurdles (men)

The 400 metres hurdles is one of the most technically demanding events on the track. Athletes complete a full lap while clearing evenly spaced hurdles, forcing them to maintain rhythm even as fatigue peaks. Mastery of stride pattern, pace control and hurdle execution is essential. The race is known for dramatic changes of position in the final straight as athletes fight both their rivals and the physical demands of the event.

400 metres hurdles

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The long jump blends speed, power and precise timing. Athletes sprint along a runway and take off from a board, aiming to maintain momentum into a controlled flight and efficient landing. Key elements include accuracy on the approach and the ability to transfer horizontal velocity into lift. The discipline has deep roots in athletics history and remains a showcase of raw jumping ability.

Long jump

The steeplechase combines distance running with technical obstacle work. Athletes clear barriers and a water jump each lap, requiring controlled footwork, balance and the ability to accelerate after each obstacle. Competitors must maintain rhythm while adjusting stride patterns to navigate hurdles efficiently. The event has become a staple of European competition, producing races that test both endurance and precise technique under pressure.

3000 metres steeplechase

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Apeldoorn is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands and among the largest municipalities in Gelderland. It is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 161,000. Apeldoorn has a charming and lively inner city and a young, sports-minded population.

The town is easily accessible by car (A1 motorway) and train. The proximity of large cities such as Utrecht (59 kilometre) and Amsterdam (75 kilometre) and its space and tranquillity make Apeldoorn one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. The area mainly consists of woods and heath-lands and is a popular destination for tourism, in particular hiking and cycling.

The Dutch royal family has always had close ties with the city. Apeldoorn is home to the stately Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family and nowadays a national museum. Apeldoorn is possibly the most athletic-minded city in the Netherlands.

Apeldoorn

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The heptathlon brings together seven events across two days: hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. Athletes must demonstrate versatility, technical skill and endurance across a wide range of disciplines. Scoring rewards consistency and all-round ability rather than excellence in only one area. The event is seen as a major test of complete athletic talent and resilience.

Heptathlon (women)

The decathlon features ten events spread across two days and is regarded as one of the most complete tests in sport. Athletes compete in sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and middle-distance running. Success depends on technical skill, physical strength, endurance and mental focus across a demanding schedule. The best decathletes are celebrated for their versatility and their ability to perform across a broad spectrum of athletic challenges.

Decathlon (men)

The marathon covers a distance of 42.195 kilometres and stands as one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics. Athletes must balance pacing, energy management and hydration while navigating a long road course that often includes changes in terrain and elevation. The race typically develops through distinct phases, with early caution giving way to decisive moves in the later stages when fatigue begins to bite. Success requires exceptional aerobic capacity, mental resilience and the ability to maintain form over a prolonged distance. The marathon has a long and respected history within European competition and continues to showcase some of the toughest endurance performances in the sport.

Marathon

In hammer throw, athletes spin several times while controlling a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The challenge is to build rotational speed while maintaining balance and directing the hammer accurately into the sector. Technical precision and body control are essential, particularly during the final release. The event is one of the most demanding in the throws discipline.

Hammer throw

Javelin throwers combine a fast run-up with a technically efficient release of a spear-shaped implement. The discipline requires speed, mobility, shoulder strength and careful control of the javelin’s angle and trajectory. Athletes must generate force during the run-up while protecting their technique during the final delivery. The event has a long European tradition and regularly produces dramatic long throws in championship settings.

Javelin throw

The discus throw requires athletes to rotate within a circle to build momentum before releasing a heavy disc into the throwing sector. Balance, footwork and technique dictate success, with release angle and timing crucial for long distances. The event dates back to ancient athletics and has remained a showcase of technical throwing skill throughout European competition.

Discus throw

Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, coordination and courage. Athletes sprint down the runway, plant the pole and use it to propel themselves over a set height. Each attempt challenges timing, body control and technique, particularly during inversion and bar clearance. The event is known for its progression of rising heights and the technical battles between athletes to master complex vaulting mechanics.

Pole vault

The triple jump consists of a hop, step and jump in one continuous sequence. Athletes must generate and maintain forward momentum through each phase, requiring rhythm, leg strength and technical consistency. Distances depend on a smooth transition between phases and a balanced landing. The event demands a combination of speed and coordination unique within the jumps programme.

Triple jump

Race walking involves covering long distances under strict technique rules. Athletes must maintain continuous ground contact and keep the front leg straight as it lands, making endurance and technical discipline equally important. Races are often tactical, with pacing and efficiency playing a major role. Europe has a long history of success in this event, which remains a key part of the championships programme.

Race walking

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The 400 metres is a one-lap sprint requiring both speed and controlled pacing. Athletes must judge their effort carefully, building a strong opening but leaving enough in reserve to withstand the final straight when fatigue peaks. The event rewards those with both raw sprinting talent and excellent speed-endurance. Historically, it has produced dramatic finishes as runners push to their limits in the closing metres.

400 metres

Swiss Timing

The 1500 metres is the classic middle-distance race. It requires athletes to balance steady pacing with the agility to respond to tactical changes and late surges. Many races unfold with a controlled early pace before a fast acceleration in the final lap, where positioning becomes critical. The event has a rich European history, often producing championship finals filled with strategy, resilience and highly competitive sprint finishes.

1500 metres

Run over two laps of the track, the 800 metres sits between sprinting and longer middle-distance racing. It is a tactical test as much as a physical one, with athletes often racing in packs, protecting position and timing their final kick. The event demands efficient running mechanics, race intelligence and a strong anaerobic capacity. European athletes have excelled in this discipline for decades, making it a consistently competitive and unpredictable race.

800 metres

Shot putters throw a solid metal ball from within a throwing circle, using either a glide or rotational technique. The event rewards explosive strength, balance and precise timing at release. Competitors must generate maximum power while staying within the circle, making technique as important as physical strength. Shot put has long been a central event in European championships, showcasing powerful and technically skilled athletes.

Shot put

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Inside European Athletics

Reigning European champions Jimmy Gressier, Yann Schrub and Nadia Battocletti will all have the possibility of rewriting the record books in the Urban Trail de Lille on Saturday (4) afternoon.
As previously announced, Gressier and Schrub are both targeting the world 5km record of 12:49 set by Ethiopia&rsquo;s Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Berihu Aregawi in 2021.
Gressier broke the European 5km record in Lille last year with 12:57, becoming the first European in history to break the 13 minute-barrier for 5km on the roads. "I want to break the world record for the 5km. I don&rsquo;t know if I&rsquo;ll succeed, but I know I&rsquo;ll do everything I can to reach the very top," said Gressier <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/news/i-m-chasing-the-holy-grail-gressier-targets-world-5km-road-record-in-lille" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a recent interview.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1775061678/media_41259884_41013723.jpg">
Schrub also broke the previous European record in the same race with 13:00 before claiming outright ownership of the European 10km record with a 26:43 clocking in Castellon to become the sixth fastest athlete in history over the distance.
The leading French duo will face a strong line-up on Saturday afternoon including Kenya&rsquo;s world 1500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot with Portugal&rsquo;s Jose Carlos Pinto and Norway&rsquo;s Narve Gilje Nordas - both of whom are training partners - among the other significant European entrants.&nbsp;
The organisers have also assigned two pacemakers who have been tasked with reaching the 3km checkpoint in 7:40 to set up the possibility of a world record.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Can Battocletti challenge the 30 minute-barrier?</h3>
There is every possibility we could see the women&rsquo;s European 10km record undergo revision for the fourth time in 2026 with recently crowned world indoor 3000m champion Nadia Battocletti moving back up in distance.
Battocletti has a relatively modest 10km lifetime best of 31:10 which she set at the 2025 European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven last April to complete the set of major continental titles. This was the last time Battocletti has contested the distance internationally and her best ever time looks due for significant revision.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1775061404/IMG-20250413-WA0138.jpg">
Since then, Battocletti has embarked on her second lap of major continental titles by retaining her European cross country title in Lagoa last December. She won the title by 15 seconds ahead of Great Britain&rsquo;s Megan Keith who currently holds the European 10km record with a 30:07 clocking in Castellon, shaving one second from Eilish McColgan&rsquo;s mark.
While it might be a tall order to expect Battocletti to challenge world record-holder and world cross country champion Agnes Ngetich for the victory on Saturday, it is far from impossible that Battocletti could challenge the European record and become the first European in history to break the 30 minute-barrier for 10km.
As well as Ngetich, the field also features a strong Ethiopian cohort including 19-year-old Chaltu Dida, who clocked 29:50 in Castellon, and two-time world U20 cross country champion Marta Alemayo who makes her debut at the distance.
The local interest will be provided by 2024 Olympic triathlon champion Cassandre Beaugrand. The 28-year-old is a world class athlete in her own right and holds the French record for 5km with 14:53.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Daguinos and Klosterhalfen also in action&nbsp;</h3>
In the men&rsquo;s 10km, Etienne Daguinos will be aiming for another fast time one week after smashing his half marathon PB with a 59:27 clocking in Berlin.&nbsp;
Daguinos briefly held the European record at this distance, clocking 27:04 in this race in November 2024, a mark which has been revised three times since then.
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DCb8n8fI2Dr"]
The line-up also features his French compatriot Bastien Augusto and Fabian Palcau but the fastest entrant based on lifetime bests is 19-year-old Khairi Bejiga from Ethiopia who clocked 26:51 in the Valencia 10K Ibercaja to finish second behind Andreas Almgren.
Germany&rsquo;s 2022 European 5000m champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen continues her return to racing after a lengthy spell on the sidelines in the women&rsquo;s 5km. Klosterhalfen made a solid comeback in the NYC Half last month, finishing 11th in 70:04 in cold conditions.
Klosterhalfen faces a line-up which includes Ethiopia&rsquo;s Hawi Abera who finished second last year in 14:32.
The Urban Trail de Lille will be streamed live on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@stadion-actu/streams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stadion Actu YouTube channel</a> from 2.30pm CET on Saturday.&nbsp;

Record watch on…again? Gressier, Schrub and Battocletti to chase fast times in Lille

The Valencia 2027 European Indoor Athletics Championships opened ticket sales on March 16 and has sold more than 7,000 tickets in the first two weeks. The pace is very positive, suggesting that the first success of the upcoming European Indoor Championships will come from the stands.
We welcome the month of April with very positive news for the 2027 European Indoor Athletics Championships in Valencia. With 337 days still remaining until the start of next year&rsquo;s most important continental athletics event, fans have already purchased more than 7,000 tickets. Ticket sales have reached nearly 50% in the first two weeks since they became available to the general public.
With the World Championships in Toruń a few days ago, the indoor season that began at the start of the year has come to a close. This means that the next major international indoor event on the calendar will be precisely the championship that will draw all eyes in our sport to the Palau Vel&ograve;drom Llu&iacute;s Puig from March 4 to 7 , 2027.
With just under a year to go before the track is decked out for the occasion, fans have taken the first step and begun purchasing tickets that will allow them to be part of what is expected to be a memorable event. The atmosphere is created by the athletes through their performances&hellip; but also by the fans in the stands, and this journey is moving forward steadily. In fact, if we break down ticket sales by day&mdash;keeping in mind that the 50% sold figure is the sum of all those different days&mdash;some days have far exceeded that quota. More than 80% of tickets in the Premium sections have been sold for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons, and sales have exceeded 90% in Section B, while Section E is at 96% sold for Sunday afternoon.
But for those who haven&rsquo;t secured their ticket yet, there&rsquo;s still time. Tickets, ranging from &euro;8 for the most affordable to &euro;55 for the most expensive, are still available for purchase through the official website <a href="http://www.valencia27.es/">www.valencia27.es</a>.
Ultimately, the organizers aim to ensure that every fan who wishes to attend has full access to a seat for any of the scheduled days. The goal is to create a spectacular atmosphere that allows everyone who makes the trip to the Valencia venue to enjoy the continent&rsquo;s best athletics firsthand.

Ticket sales for Valencia 2027 reach nearly 50% in the first two weeks

Have your say and vote now for your men&rsquo;s Athlete of the Month for March 2026!
Five nominees have been selected for both the women's and men's categories based purely on performances achieved throughout the month of March with the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze having the biggest bearing on the shortlists.
Click here to cast your <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/athlete-of-the-month#/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vote</a>!
The voting closes at 11.59pm CET on 8 April&nbsp; and the winners will be announced across the European Athletics social media channels on 10 April.
Last month&rsquo;s winners were Great Britain&rsquo;s Keely Hodgkinson and Greece&rsquo;s Emmanouil Karalis. Hodgkinson smashed the long-standing world indoor 800m record with 1:54.87 in Lievin while Karalis vaulted to second on the world all-time list with a 6.17m clearance at the Greek Indoor Championships in Athens.
The five nominees are listed below in alphabetical order with each athlete's key achievements listed.&nbsp;
Gerson Balde (POR) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14849980" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor long jump champion -World lead of 8.46m
Andy Diaz Hernandez (ITA) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14587743" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor triple jump champion -World lead of 17.47m
Armand Duplantis (SWE) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14679502" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor pole vault champion -Championship record of 6.25m -World record of 6.31m at the Mondo Classic in Uppsala
Simon Ehammer (SUI) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14730721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor heptathlon champion -World indoor record of 6670 points
Jakub Szymanski (POL) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14799803" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor 60m hurdles champion in 7.40 -Polish record and equal world lead of 7.37 in Berlin

Vote now! Men’s Athlete of the Month nominees for March 2026 announced

Have your say and vote now for your women&rsquo;s Athlete of the Month for March 2026!
Five nominees have been selected for both the women's and men's categories based purely on performances achieved throughout the month of March with the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze having the biggest bearing on the shortlists.
Click here to cast your <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/athlete-of-the-month#/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vote</a>!
The voting closes at 11.59pm CET on 8 April&nbsp; and the winners will be announced across the European Athletics social media channels on 10 April.
Last month&rsquo;s winners were Great Britain&rsquo;s Keely Hodgkinson and Greece&rsquo;s Emmanouil Karalis. Hodgkinson smashed the long-standing world indoor 800m record with 1:54.87 in Lievin while Karalis vaulted to second on the world all-time list with a 6.17m clearance at the Greek Indoor Championships in Athens.
The five nominees are listed below in alphabetical order with each athlete's key achievements listed.&nbsp;
Sofie Dokter (NED) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14825097" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor pentathlon champion -World lead of 4888 points
Zaynab Dosso (ITA) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14622202" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor 60m champion -Ran 7.00 in the semifinal and final
Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14642894" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor 800m champion -Championship record of 1:55.30, second fastest time in history indoors
Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14329797" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor 1500m champion -World lead of 3:58.53
Lurdes Gloria Manuel&nbsp; (CZE) | <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/historical-data/athletes/14905336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile</a>
-World indoor 400m champion -Youngest ever world indoor 400m champion

Vote now! Women’s Athlete of the Month nominees for March 2026 announced

People have asked me why I haven&rsquo;t competed yet this year, and the answer is actually quite simple: I&rsquo;m not rushing it. 
After last year, I realised that throwing far isn&rsquo;t just about strength or just about competing as often as possible &mdash; it&rsquo;s about putting everything together at the right time.&nbsp;
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1774872706/GettyImages-2227667232.jpg">
Over the winter, I changed a lot in my training. I&rsquo;ve gone from a system focused on intensity to one that&rsquo;s much more about volume and repetition. That means more throwing, more technical work, and less emphasis on lifting the heaviest weights possible.
At first, it was tough. I was tired all the time, my throws dropped off, and there were moments where I couldn&rsquo;t get over 60 metres. But that&rsquo;s part of the process.
Now I feel like I&rsquo;m coming through that phase &mdash; the technique is improving, my mindset is getting clearer, and I&rsquo;m starting to feel like myself again. That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;ve held back from competing so far. I want to be ready, not just present.
<h3>Watching and supporting the European Throwing Cup</h3>
Even without competing, I&rsquo;ve been following everything closely. I watched the European Throwing Cup stream and really enjoyed it &mdash; especially cheering on my training partner Aileen Kuhn. When you see someone you work with every day step into the circle, you feel every throw with them. It makes you proud.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1774872791/EuropeanThrowingCup-Day1-045.jpg">
I was also really surprised by the men&rsquo;s hammer competition. Volodymyr Myslyvcuk taking the win for Czechia wasn&rsquo;t something many people expected, but he played it perfectly.&nbsp;
He got a strong mark in early when the conditions were still good, and after that the weather turned, making it almost impossible for others to catch him. That&rsquo;s part of our sport &mdash; sometimes it&rsquo;s not just about distance, it&rsquo;s about timing and reading the competition.
<h3>Enjoying Frankfurt flavours and vegan food</h3>
Outside of training, I&rsquo;ve been settling into life in Frankfurt, and I have to say, I really enjoy it. It&rsquo;s a great city &mdash; easy to get around by bike or public transport, and there&rsquo;s always something new to discover.
I&rsquo;ve been making a point of trying a different restaurant almost every week, just exploring and getting to know the place. That balance between training and everyday life is important, and here I feel like I&rsquo;ve found a good rhythm.
I do a lot of eating - yes, that&rsquo;s part of being a hammer thrower! But I&rsquo;ve also made some changes there. I&rsquo;m not strictly vegan or vegetarian, but at home I now cook almost entirely plant-based. This year, I decided to go fully vegan in my own cooking. It&rsquo;s simple, it works for me, and it saves time.&nbsp;
A lot of my meals are quick &mdash; rice, vegetables in the air fryer, plant-based protein &mdash; nothing too complicated. I used to spend hours cooking every day, but now it&rsquo;s much more efficient, which helps with everything else I have going on.
<h3>Do I share my hammer app or not?</h3>
Alongside training, I&rsquo;ve also been working on a project that&rsquo;s very close to me: my hammer throwing app. It&rsquo;s essentially finished &mdash; I could release it tomorrow if I wanted to. But I&rsquo;m still undecided. Part of me wants to share it, because I know how useful it can be, not just for me but for other throwers.
At the same time, there&rsquo;s that competitive instinct &mdash; do I really want to give others access to something that could help them improve? It&rsquo;s a bit of a dilemma, and I&rsquo;m still thinking it through.
Looking ahead, I&rsquo;m excited to finally start competing. If everything goes to plan, my season will begin at the Werfertage in Halle. After that, I&rsquo;m aiming for Dresden, Bern and then Bergen, where I&rsquo;ll combine competition with a bit of training and time with a friend in Norway. It&rsquo;s a schedule I&rsquo;m really looking forward to &mdash; a mix of performance, preparation and a bit of perspective.
For now, though, it&rsquo;s about continuing the work, trusting the process, and making sure that when I do step into the circle, I&rsquo;m ready to throw the way I know I can.
Merlin Hummel is the world silver medallist in the men's hammer throw. The German athlete is a regular columnist for European Athletics.

Merlin Hummel Column | Competing at the right time, veganism and an app dilemma

Former world and European champion Adam Gemili has announced his retirement after 14 years at the top of the sport.
Gemili broke through in 2011, while still trying to pursue a football career, when he placed second in the 100m and 4x100m at the European U20 Championships.
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The following year he went on to become 100m world U20 champion and made it to the semifinal of the London 2012 Olympics.
He went on to then become European champion in the 200m in 2014, where he was the only man to dip under 20 seconds, clocking 19.98.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1774864100/GettyImages-1015734824.jpg">
That same championships he won the 4x100m, a title he would retain alongside his teammates for the next two championships.
But one of the highlights of his career was the London 2017 world championships where Gemili, alongside CJ Ujah, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, and Daniel Talbot, won gold in front of a home crowd.
Now in his retirement from competing, Gemili will be taking on speed coaching opportunities, including with Chelsea Academy players alongside setting up his own business to coach young athletes of all sports.