Spain’s 4x100 mixed relay team secured bronze at the European Championships. The squad set a new national record in their first appearance. Britain and Germany finished ahead, with Spain holding off Switzerland.
Spain’s athletics made headlines in Birmingham as the national 4x100 mixed relay team captured bronze in their first-ever appearance at the European Championships. The quartet—Guillem Crespí, Maribel Pérez, Andoni Calbano, and Jaël Bestué—crossed the line in 40.42 seconds, setting a new Spanish record and marking a breakthrough for the country in this emerging event.
The final saw Spain finish behind only the host nation, Great Britain, who took gold with a European record of 39.97, and Germany, who claimed silver in 40.11. Spain’s performance was decisive, outpacing Switzerland by nearly half a second, while Portugal rounded out the top five. Italy and the Netherlands failed to complete the race, and Belgium was disqualified for a baton exchange outside the legal zone.
Each Spanish athlete delivered a strong leg, with Crespí launching the team into third position after a powerful opening curve. Calbano maintained the momentum, while Pérez and Bestué posted the second-fastest splits in their respective segments—10.33 for Pérez and 10.03 for Bestué. The technical execution of baton exchanges proved crucial, as the Spanish team avoided the errors that cost other contenders their place on the podium.
This event marked the European debut of the 4x100 mixed relay, which was officially introduced at the World Relays in Guangzhou in 2025. The Spanish squad, featuring the same four athletes, had already set a national record of 40.51 in Gaborone a year later, securing direct qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. Their consistency and improvement highlight the growing depth of Spanish sprinting.
While the spotlight was on the relay team’s historic result, attention in Birmingham also turned to the women’s 4x400, considered a strong medal contender. The Championships have drawn significant interest, with Spanish athletes increasingly making their mark on the European stage. In a similar vein, recent coverage of major sporting events, such as the opening of the bullfighting season in El Puerto, reflects the broadening scope of Spanish achievements in both traditional and modern arenas.
The introduction of the mixed relay at major championships is part of a wider trend toward gender-balanced events in athletics. Spain’s rapid adaptation and success in this format underscore the country’s commitment to innovation and competitiveness. As the team looks ahead to future international competitions, their Birmingham bronze stands as a milestone for Spanish track and field.
The European Athletics Championships, held biennially, serve as a key platform for emerging talents and established stars. Spain’s medal in the mixed relay not only adds to the nation’s tally but also signals a new era for relay events, where teamwork and precision are as vital as individual speed. The result in Birmingham may encourage further investment and focus on sprint disciplines within Spanish athletics federations.
