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The European Athletics Championships began at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. This is the first time the United Kingdom is hosting the event, which continues until Aug. 16.
Türkiye has sent 50 athletes to the championships, with 31 men and 19 women. This is the country's largest team ever, beating the previous record of 46 athletes from 2016.
Notable competitors include Sila Kologlu in the 200 and 400 meters, Ersu Sasma in the pole vault, Eda Tugsuz in the javelin throw, and Tugba Danismaz in the triple jump. Türkiye is also competing in the men's 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays.
The Turkish Athletics Federation reports that Türkiye has earned 33 medals at the European Athletics Championships since 1934: 12 gold, 10 silver, and 11 bronze. Sureyya Ayhan won the country's first gold in 2002 in the 1500 meters. Yasemin Can claimed the most recent gold in the 10,000 meters in 2022.
Türkiye tried to strengthen its international team by naturalizing foreign-born athletes. However, World Athletics did not approve the country's request to transfer 11 athletes before this year's championships.
Six Turkish athletes took part on the first day of the championships. Danismaz reached the women's triple jump final with a qualifying jump of 14.23 meters. The final will take place on Thursday.
In the men's 400 meters, Kubilay Encu finished sixth in his heat and 14th overall with a time of 46.13 seconds. In the men's 800 meters, Omer Faruk Bozdag also placed sixth in his heat and was 27th overall, finishing in 1:48.41.
In shot put qualifying, Ali Peker threw 18.53 meters and finished 12th in his group and 24th overall. In hammer throw qualifying, Halil Yilmazer reached 69.53 meters for 13th in his group and 27th overall. Ozkan Baltaci threw 68.9 meters, placing 15th in his group and 28th overall.
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