Israel Sends 18 Athletes to 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham

The 2026 European Athletics Championships begin tomorrow, August 10, in Birmingham, UK, at Alexander Stadium, running for a full week. Israel is sending a delegation of 18 athletes, combining seasoned competitors with significant European and international achievements alongside young athletes making their senior European debut.

The Israeli team’s main strength lies in the men’s and women’s marathon squads. The men’s team includes Budapest World Championship silver medalist Maru Teferi, along with Aimeru Almeya, Gashaw Ayala, Bokayo Melda, Tadesse Getahon, and Yitayew Abuhay. Their explicit goal is to defend the team gold medal Israel won at the 2022 European Championships in Munich. The women’s marathon team, featuring Maor Tiyori, Selamawit Teferi, and Mintemar Bikaya, also aims for a strong team performance.

Israeli athletes will compete in various events: Gal Arad in the 200 meters, Matan Ivri in the 1500 meters, Darja Chekula and Zimano Muche in the 10,000 meters, Sagi Lamdiel in the 110-meter hurdles, Omri Shiff in the 400-meter hurdles, and Yonatan Kapitulnik in high jump. Among women, Adva Cohen will run the 3000-meter steeplechase for her fourth European Championships appearance, and Estelle Valano will compete in discus throw. For Arad, Ivri, Chekula, Muche, Lamdiel, and Valano, this is their first senior European Championship.

Adva Cohen will be the first Israeli to compete, starting with the 3000-meter steeplechase heats tomorrow. The rest of the team will join later in the week, with the marathon events scheduled for the final day. Notably, Blessing Afrifah and Luna Chemtai Salpeter will miss the championships due to injuries.

The full Israeli roster and events are: 1500m - Matan Ivri; 200m - Gal Arad; 10,000m - Darja Chekula, Zimano Muche; Men’s marathon - Maru Teferi, Aimeru Almeya, Gashaw Ayala, Bokayo Melda, Tadesse Getahon, Yitayew Abuhay; 110m hurdles - Sagi Lamdiel; 400m hurdles - Omri Shiff; High jump - Yonatan Kapitulnik; Women’s marathon - Maor Tiyori, Selamawit Teferi, Mintemar Bikaya; 3000m steeplechase - Adva Cohen; Discus throw - Estelle Valano.