European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov has hailed the “historic performances” of European athletes at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, which concluded on Sunday (22).
“With 18 victories in 27 competitions, European athletes won two-thirds of the gold medals available at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland,” he said. “These historic performances mean that Europe can celebrate equalling its best-ever result of 18 gold medals, also achieved in Maebashi, Japan, in 1999.
“The total of 44 medals, including 15 silver and 11 bronze, is an outstanding achievement at the very top level of our sport.
“Particular congratulations go to Simon Ehammer for his incredible world record in winning the men’s heptathlon. Also, to Mondo Duplantis in the men’s pole vault, Keely Hodgkinson in the women’s 800m, and the Belgian 4x400m mixed relay team for all setting championship records as they won gold.
“We also witnessed three further world-leading performances from Gerson Baldé in the men’s long jump, Andy Díaz Hernández in the men’s triple jump, and Georgia Hunter Bell in the women’s 1500m.
“Congratulations to all the athletes on their incredible success, as well as to their coaching teams and the Member Federations for all the support they have given.”
More golden moment to come at Birmingham 2026
The President also praised the organisers behind the event in Kujawy-Pomerania.
“Our friends and partners in Polish athletics once again proved what reliable hosts they are of major events; I would like to congratulate them on another magnificent event in their welcoming country,” he said.
“We are sure they will fulfil all our hopes and expectations again when they host the European Athletics U20 and U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz next year. But first, we turn our attention to this summer and the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.
“European stars have provided us with an incredible indoor season, and it has given us even more reason to look forward to Birmingham 2026, where there are sure to be many more golden moments for the whole of Europe to celebrate together.”