Birmingham will host the 2026 European Athletics Championships and Lewis, who grew up in nearby Wolverhampton, wants to see more big sporting events brought to the UK
Dame Denise Lewis believes the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham can make the case for bringing more major sporting events to Britain.
Next year will be the first time the UK has hosted the continental showpiece and the competition will take place in the Alexander Stadium, which was renovated for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. London has been linked with hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships, having done so for the first time in 2017, and Lewis believes the UK should strive to play host on a more regular basis.
She said: “It is beyond exciting to have a major championships coming back to Birmingham. It is amazing for the locals, the city, and British athletes to compete in front of a home crowd.
“The UK really knows how to host, we guarantee sellout stadiums. Europeans is the jewel in our illustrious hosting record for the UK.
“Why not, in the next decade, why can’t we be really ambitious and try and host as many championships as we can? Let’s push the boat out. Sport is one of those soft powers that can really galvanise and enthuse people.”
Lewis’ comments follow those of departing UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger, who voiced her frustration at the lack of major events Britain is confirmed to be hosting in the next 10 years.
Grainger admitted to concerns about the calendar after 2028, when the UK and Ireland will host the men’s football European Championships.
But UK Athletics President Lewis believes athletics can step up to the plate, with the opportunity to both compete and watch on home soil invaluable to athletes and fans alike.
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“I am really excited about this one based on the last European Championships, where competition was so rich across the track and the field,” she added.
“Hopefully there will be the likes of Femke Bol, Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Mattia Furlani in action.
“The crop of athletes from the UK just warms my heart; Georgia Bell, Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Josh Kerr, the rich talent we have in middle distance, there is something for everybody to get behind.
“It is the best feeling to compete in front of a home crowd. It pleases me immensely to know that this opportunity is around the corner for athletes.”
Lewis, who famously won Olympic heptathlon gold at Sydney 2000, grew up in Wolverhampton and is particularly pleased to see the West Midlands back in the spotlight.
“Birmingham in particular knows sport and loves sport,” she said.
“It has hosted the Diamond League there and got a really good turnout, so I am expecting big crowds. Big stars will want to compete because the city has a lot to offer.”
“Knowing that the opportunity is there to see some of the best athletes in the world come to the city is exciting, it is a touch point where we can accelerate young people’s ambitions.”
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