Israel Sends 18 Athletes to 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham

The 2026 European Athletics Championships will begin tomorrow, August 10, in Birmingham, UK, at Alexander Stadium, running for a full week. Israel is sending a delegation of 18 athletes, combining experienced competitors with promising newcomers making their senior European debut. The Israeli team’s main strength lies in the men’s and women’s marathon squads. The men’s marathon team includes Budapest World Championship silver medalist Maru Teferi, along with Aimeru Almeya, Gashaw Ayala, Bokayo Melda, Tadesse Getahon, and Yitayou Abohayi. Their 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 Mintmar Bikaya, also aims for a strong team performance.

Israel will compete in various other events: Gal Arad in the 200 meters, Matan Ivri in the 1500 meters, Darja Chekula and Zimano Motcha in the 10,000 meters, Sagi Lamdiel in the 110-meter hurdles, Omri Shiff in the 400-meter hurdles, and Yonatan Kapitulnik in the high jump. On the women’s side, Advah Cohen will run the 3000-meter steeplechase, marking her fourth European Championship appearance, and Estel Valano will compete in discus throw. For Arad, Ivri, Chekula, Motcha, Lamdiel, and Valano, this is their first senior European Championship.

Advah Cohen will be the first Israeli to compete, starting with the 3000-meter steeplechase heats tomorrow. The rest of the team will join throughout 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 list of Israeli competitors and their events includes: 1500m - Matan Ivri; 200m - Gal Arad; 10,000m - Darja Chekula, Zimano Motcha; Men’s marathon - Maru Teferi, Aimeru Almeya, Gashaw Ayala, Bokayo Melda, Tadesse Getahon, Yitayou Abohayi; 110m hurdles - Sagi Lamdiel; 400m hurdles - Omri Shiff; High jump - Yonatan Kapitulnik; Women’s marathon - Maor Tiyori, Selamawit Teferi, Mintmar Bikaya; 3000m steeplechase - Advah Cohen; Discus throw - Estel Valano.