Spain closed the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham with bronze in the 4x100m mixed relay, which debuted at the event. The Spanish quartet, Guillem Crespí, Maribel Pérez, Andoni Calbano, and Jael Bestué, completed a flawless baton exchange at Alexander Stadium and clocked 40.42 seconds, setting a national record. Only Great Britain and Germany finished ahead; Spain outpaced Switzerland, Portugal, and several teams that failed to complete the race.
The championships took place from 10 to 16 August 2026, following the 2024 edition in Rome. Relay events were a major feature in Birmingham: Great Britain won both the men’s and women’s 4x100m titles, and coach Paula Dunn’s team finished second in the overall medal table. Against that backdrop, Spain’s mixed-relay bronze and national-record time added to a strong championship campaign.
The result capped a successful championship for Spain, which finished with eight medals. Earlier on the final day, the women's marathon team also secured bronze, adding to the country's tally. The mixed relay proved unpredictable, but the Spanish team showed composure and teamwork, overcoming previous relay mishaps in both the men's and women's events.
In other finals, the Spanish women's 4x400m relay team missed the podium despite a late surge from Blanca Hervás that moved the team up to fourth. The Netherlands won, with Great Britain and Italy taking silver and bronze. In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Daniel Arce led early but faded on the final lap, finishing just outside the medals. Alejandro Quijada set a personal best in sixth place, while Fátima Diame also finished sixth in the long jump, narrowly missing her season's best. Yulenmis Aguilar placed ninth in the javelin and could not advance after three attempts.
In the pole vault final, Sweden's Mondo Duplantis secured his fourth consecutive European title, clearing 6.15m without attempting a world record. Greek rival Emmanouil Karalis pushed him but settled for silver. The session ended with Italy overtaking the host nation in the medal table after a dramatic win in the men's 4x400m relay. Italy finished the championships with 10 golds and 22 medals overall. Spain ranked seventh, with two golds, two silvers, and four bronzes.
The championships also drew large television audiences. Sportcal reported an average market share of 74% across the week, with viewing peaking at 1.3 million during Finland’s Alisa Vainio’s women’s marathon victory. Finland’s Silja Kosonen and Vainio each won gold in Birmingham, adding another impressive storyline to the week’s competition.
Spain's performance in Birmingham reflects broader improvement in athletics, particularly in team events. The introduction of the mixed relay added a new dimension to the competition, and Spain adapted quickly. For further understanding into Spain's achievements at these championships, including standout results in race walking, see the detailed coverage on Spanish athletes' record-breaking performances in Birmingham.
The European Athletics Championships are a basic benchmark for national teams ahead of global competitions. Spain's medal haul and new record in Birmingham show the country's growing depth and competitiveness in European athletics. The event also highlighted the unpredictability of relay races and the importance of teamwork and preparation at the highest level.
