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Shot Put
The Female Shot Put event begins and finishes on Day 1. Qualifiying begins at 10.30am and the final will take place at 7.35pm, with the victory ceremoney closing out the day's events. Expect a strong showing from Eastern Europe's representatives, with reigning champion Natallia Mikhnevich on show once more. Men's qualifying starts on Friday at 11.30am, while the final will take place on saturday at 6.30pm. The last edition's exciting ending will hopefully be replicated with all major stars, including Ralf Bartels and Joachim Olsen showing good form.2 of 7
Triple Jump
Tuesday afternoon will see Phillips Idowu launching his assault on the European title with triple jump qualifications beginning at 7.10pm. The final will take place on Thursday at 7.40pm.3 of 7
Pole Vault
The female Pole Vault event sees one of the stars and main headline acts of the Championships take to centre stage. Russian beauty Yelena Isibayeva is again in pole position to retain her title and will be expected to ease through qualifying on Wednesday from 10.30am onwards. The final will be on Friday at 6.30pm. The men's event will start on Thursday at 10.15am, with the final on Saturday at 6pm.4 of 7
110m Hurdles
One of the most prestigious events in the Championships, qualifying will beging on Thursday at 10.45am. Reigning champion Stanislas Olijars has experienced a downturn in fortunes, and former French World Champion Ladji Doucouré will be hoping to re-assert his European dominance. The final will be on Friday at 7.50pm5 of 7
Javelin
Women's qualifying begins on Day 1 at 7.05pm, with their final two days later at 8.40pm. A Scandinavian, and particularly Finnish speciality, there should be fireworks. Men's qualifying starts on Friday at 10.20 am, with Thorkildsen and Pitkamaki renewing their healthy rivalry. The final is a widely popular event, taking place on Saturday at 8.05pm.6 of 7
Steeple Chase
One of the most universally exciting events of the Championships, qualifying for the Women's Steeple Chase begins at 11.30am on Wednesday with Men's qualifying at 11.40am on Friday. The respective finals are at 8.25pm on Friday and 8.15pm on Sunday.7 of 7
Victory Ceremony
Victory Ceremonies will act as the tolling bell for each day's events. The closing Ceremony will incorporate the final two Victory Ceremonies with the Male and Female 400m relay teams taking to the podium.The Athletics summer season is slowly getting up and running, and the first major meet is looming large in Barcelona. The European Championships get under way on the 26th of July and will last until the 1st of august, bringing with them the typical parade of glitterati, entertainment, and the small matter of some of the world’s leading athletes.
British interest is not negligible with some major players already strutting their stuff throughout the globe in preparation for this leading event. One to look out for particularly is on-form triple jumper Phillips Idowu who last week posted his best performance of the year at the Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo meet in Rio de Janeiro, a jump he will be looking to replicate in Barcelona. Controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers is also making waves, clocking 10.11 and finishing second in the same meet. Another medal hopeful is heptathlete Jessica Ennis. The current world-champion of the discipline is preparing to mount an assault on Denise Lewis’ national record and her positive dynamic was encapsulated in her recent high jump results, her best in over two years. Mo Farah, Britain’s 3000m indoor European champion will also hope his form translates to the open air of Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
There will also be other big names on show. Teddy Tamgho of France will be looking to usurp Idowu, and gave his campaign a great fillip with a leap at 17.63m, the world’s best performance of the year, last week. The female high jump is also an attraction with the star performer over the past couple of seasons, reigning Olympic and European Champion, Tia Hellebaut finally making her return to competition. Making only her first appearance since giving birth to her daughter in Madrid on the 2nd of July, her presence is sure to attract the crowds and add little-needed spice to the female high-jump event.
The Championships start on the 27th of July and are spread out over the subsequent six days. Motivated connoisseurs will make a point of attending the early morning events, but all the headline acts take place in the afternoon. Day 1 sees the final of the Women’s Shot Put at 7.35pm and the Men´s 10000m at 9.05pm, which will be interspersed by Phillips Idowu’s start to the competition at 8.20pm.
Day 2 will see a plethora of finals including the women’s 10000m at 9.05pm and the Men’s 100m. The latter is a particular crowd pleaser and expect Dwain Chambers to make an impact. The Decathlon, which consists of ten separate events, will run throughout the day and into the 29th which sees the last event but also the Men’s Triple Jump Final at 7.40pm and the Women’s 100m Final at 9.45pm.
Day 4 sees sprinters take centre stage again from 7.25 with the finals of the Men’s 200m, 110m hurdles, 400m and the Women’s 400m and 400m hurdles. The 30th also sees Jessica Ennis begin her quest for the Championship gold, with her first event, the 100m hurdles, at 11am.
The 100m and 400m relays, for both Men and Women, begin on Saturday morning, with qualifications beginning at 10.15am. The Heptathlon also runs throughout the day with the last event, the 800m, at 8.45pm. The men’s 5000m final closes out the day at 9.20pm.
The last day of competition, the 1st of August, begins with the morning’s only event, the men’s marathon at 10.05am. The evening will see drama galore, with the Men running their 4x100m relay at 7.35pm and the Women at 7.50pm. The 400m relays will mark the ending of the championships, with the Women running at 9.20pm and the Men at 9.55.