Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith lead a 98-strong Great Britain squad for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The athletes return to home soil after skipping the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, aiming to defend continental titles at Alexander Stadium this August.
Expectation meets redemption this summer as Great Britain names its formidable 98-strong squad for the European Athletics Championships. While several high-profile stars opted to skip the Glasgow Commonwealth Games earlier, the nation’s premier track and field talent is converging on Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium for the marquee continental event running from August 10–16, 2026.
Star Power Returns to Alexander Stadium
The host nation fields a lineup that bridges established international medallists and emerging contenders. Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson (800m) and Dina Asher-Smith (100m) highlight the roster, with both athletes returning to defend their respective European crowns on home ground. For Asher-Smith, the fastest British woman of all time, the championships offer a vital chance to make up for lost time after injury ruled her out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in the exact same Midlands venue.
“I’m just so excited. A home Championships is always something I would love to be at, simply because I missed the Commonwealth Games in 2022. I injured my hamstring with like 10 days to go. So that was great fun.”
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Dina Asher-Smith
The 30-year-old sprinter warmed up for the championships by taking silver in the 100m final behind winner Amy Hunt at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham, before pulling out of the 200m final having won her heat. Asher-Smith remains excited to try and add to her haul of eight European medals when she next steps foot on the track at the Alexander Stadium. Alongside her, Katarina Johnson-Thompson—who was forced to withdraw from the 2024 edition with an injury—returns to compete in the heptathlon, having claimed silver at the Paris Olympics.
Local Icons and Continental Contenders
The squad selection also carries profound local significance. Birmingham-born Matt Hudson-Smith, the 400m Olympic silver medallist and a four-time European champion, will take part in the men’s 400m at the venue where he has a stand named after him. Performance director Paula Dunn emphasized the careful balance struck within the roster.
“To compete at a major championship is always a tremendous achievement, and it makes the occasion even more special with the event taking place on home soil. This team reflects the strength and depth of talent we have across track and field, bringing together established international medallists alongside an exciting group of emerging athletes. I have every confidence that this team will rise to the occasion.”
Paula Dunn, performance director
Midlands and national fans will also watch Georgia Hunter Bell, a 2024 European silver medallist and world indoor champion, compete in the women’s 1500m alongside 2022 champion Laura Muir. The GB squad also includes former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman and world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning. Jake Heyward, who set a new one-mile Welsh record at the London Diamond League this month, is part of the squad.
Notable Absences and the Home Fanbase Factor
Despite the overwhelming depth of the 98-strong selection, notable absences punctuate the lineup. Scotland’s Josh Kerr, who set a world record in the same race, has opted out of the championships. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is expected to reach fever pitch, fueled by a fanbase that Asher-Smith describes as unmatched globally.
Photo: uk.sports.yahoo.com
“Ultimately, I want to be here, be here healthily, and be here putting together a great performance in front of a crowd that’s come out year on year at trials, at the [2017 World Championships] in London, and at Diamond Leagues, to support us all. The fans deserve another Championships because they are the number one track and field fanbase nation in the world. I’m just excited to pull on my GB vest and, fingers crossed, touch wood, do them all proud, but most importantly, do it with a big smile on my face.”
Dina Asher-Smith
With Novuna acting as the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team—powering British Athletics on the global stage from everyday goals to world-class dreams—the stage is set for a historic week. Whether the returning champions can successfully fend off continental heavyweights like pole vault star Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis and 800m superstar Keely Hodgkinson will define the August fixture at Alexander Stadium.
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