Israeli Sprinter Blessing Afrifah Withdraws From European Athletics Championships Due to Injury

The European Athletics Association announced the updated list of qualifiers for the European Athletics Championships, scheduled from August 10 to 16 in Birmingham, UK. Israel will be represented by 18 athletes across various disciplines. However, sprinter Blessing Afrifah will miss the competition due to a hamstring injury and will remain in Israel for rehabilitation. Marathon runner Luna Chemtai Salpeter is also sidelined with an injury.

Several Israeli athletes secured their spots only recently, thanks to strong performances in recent weeks and at the Israeli national championships held last week. Matan Ivri qualified last-minute for the 1,500 meters after other runners withdrew, while Omri Shif, Israel's national record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, also secured his place. Sagie Lamdiel broke the Israeli record in the 110-meter hurdles at the Maccabiah Games, earning him a spot ranked 30th. Gal Ard qualified for the 200 meters after winning the national championship, ranking 25th among the 36 qualifiers.

The full Israeli delegation includes Jonathan Kapitolnik (high jump), Adva Cohen (3,000-meter steeplechase), Estelle Walano (discus throw), Zimano Mothe and Derja Chekula (10,000 meters), and marathon runners Maor Tiyori, Salamawit Teferi, and Mintemar Bikaya, who replaced the injured Chemtai Salpeter. Other marathon runners are Maor Teferi, Gashaw Ayala, Eymeru Alemayehu, Tadesse Getahon, Bokayo Melda, and Wetaio Abuhay. The team also features Matan Ivri (1,500 meters), Omri Shif (400-meter hurdles), Sagie Lamdiel (110-meter hurdles), and Gal Ard (200 meters).