Birmingham will host the 2026 European Athletics Championships and Lewis, who grew up in close by Wolverhampton, needs to see extra massive sporting occasions delivered to the UK
Dame Denise Lewis believes the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham could make the case for bringing extra main sporting occasions to Britain.
Subsequent 12 months would be the first time the UK has hosted the continental showpiece and the competitors will happen within the Alexander Stadium, which was renovated for the 2022 Commonwealth Video games. London has been linked with internet hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships, having executed so for the primary time in 2017, and Lewis believes the UK ought to attempt to play host on a extra common foundation.
She mentioned: “It’s past thrilling to have a serious championships coming again to Birmingham. It’s wonderful for the locals, the town, and British athletes to compete in entrance of a house crowd.
“The UK actually is aware of the best way to host, we assure sellout stadiums. Europeans is the jewel in our illustrious internet hosting file for the UK.
“Why not, within the subsequent decade, why can’t we be actually bold and try to host as many championships as we are able to? Let’s push the boat out. Sport is a type of tender powers that may actually galvanise and enthuse folks.”
Lewis’ feedback observe these of departing UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger, who voiced her frustration on the lack of main occasions Britain is confirmed to be internet hosting within the subsequent 10 years.
Grainger admitted to issues concerning the calendar after 2028, when the UK and Eire will host the lads’s soccer European Championships.
However UK Athletics President Lewis believes athletics can step as much as the plate, with the chance to each compete and watch on dwelling soil invaluable to athletes and followers alike.
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“I’m actually enthusiastic about this one based mostly on the final European Championships, the place competitors was so wealthy throughout the observe and the sector,” she added.
“Hopefully there would be the likes of Femke Bol, Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Mattia Furlani in motion.
“The crop of athletes from the UK simply warms my coronary heart; Georgia Bell, Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Josh Kerr, the wealthy expertise now we have in center distance, there’s something for everyone to get behind.
“It’s the greatest feeling to compete in entrance of a house crowd. It pleases me immensely to know that this chance is across the nook for athletes.”
Lewis, who famously gained Olympic heptathlon gold at Sydney 2000, grew up in Wolverhampton and is especially happy to see the West Midlands again within the highlight.
“Birmingham particularly is aware of sport and loves sport,” she mentioned.
“It has hosted the Diamond League there and obtained a extremely good turnout, so I’m anticipating massive crowds. Large stars will need to compete as a result of the town has quite a bit to supply.”
“Understanding that the chance is there to see a number of the greatest athletes within the world come to the town is thrilling, it’s a contact level the place we are able to speed up younger folks’s ambitions.”
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