Georgia Hunter-Bell strikes European Gold on home turf
The University of Birmingham was proudly represented at the 2026 European Athletics Championships, with six current students and alumni competing on home turf in Birmingham.
The standout performance came from Geography alumna Georgia Hunter-Bell, who produced a superb series of races to eventually win gold in the women’s 1500m, becoming European Champion on the final day of competition in front of a home crowd. This victory now marks three major international titles in 2026 alone for Hunter-Bell, following her previous demonstrations of prowess at both the World Indoor Championships earlier this year and the Commonwealth Games just two weeks ago.
Current students Jake Minshull (BSc Human Sciences, pictured below) and Poppy Tank (PhD Metallurgy & Materials) also represented the University. Minshull reached the 400m hurdles semi-finals, while Tank finished 23rd in the 10,000m final. Among the University’s alumni, Kimani Jack (BA History) finished fourth in the high jump, narrowly missing out on a medal, while Kristian Imroth (BSc Sport, Physical Education & Coaches Sciences) and Will Battershill (MSc Economics) both contested the 3000m steeplechase final, finishing 12th and 14th respectively.
Alumna Issy Boffey was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Championships shortly before it began, after suffering an injury sustained in the 800m final at the Commonwealth Games. Fellow alumna Hannah England was also part of the Championships throughout, providing expert commentary for European Athletics.
Supporting athletes on the road to Birmingham
Away from competition, the University of Birmingham was proud to play a small but mighty role in supporting the key preparations of a wide number of athletes.
Throughout the entirety of the Championships, the University’s athletics track provided valuable pre-competition training access to athletes from across Europe, with approximately 50% of competing nations using the venue during the nine-day stretch. With many of the larger teams based in Birmingham city-centre hotels, the track welcomed squads including GB & NI, France, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Türkiye to campus, alongside athletes from many other nations.
All 1600 athletes from 48 nations competing at the European Athletics Championships were welcome to use the University’s athletics facilities, highlighting the role the University played in supporting a major international sporting event on home soil.
From providing world-class training access to celebrating European gold, the University of Birmingham was proud to play its part in an unforgettable Championships.
