Excitement is building in Madrid as the city officially launched the European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division on Thursday, June 26th. Nearly 700 athletes are ready to compete at the iconic Estadio Vallehermoso, marking a significant moment for European athletics.
European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov praised Madrid for hosting the event, highlighting it as another success in a landmark year for the sport. “It has been an amazing start for European Athletics in 2025,” Karamarinov stated, referencing the successful European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn and the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven. He emphasized the presence of Europe’s top sixteen teams, including fifteen European champions from Rome and three Olympic champions, all set to compete on the “unique green CONICA track.” Karamarinov urged fans to attend, encouraging them to support all athletes and witness the special team-based competition.
Madrid’s officials warmly welcomed the delegations, reinforcing the city’s status as a global sporting hub. Sonia Cea, City Council Sports Delegate, proudly declared Madrid the “worldwide capital of sports.” Luis Fernando Martín Izquierdo, Deputy Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Community of Madrid, underscored the region’s robust sporting infrastructure, vast athletic community, and the significant economic and social benefits of hosting such events. He noted that sport contributes over €550 million annually to Madrid’s economy, representing 3% of its regional GDP.
Aitor Canibe, Acting General Director at the Spanish Ministry of Sport, extended a warm welcome to all international visitors, inviting them to enjoy Madrid’s vibrant culture and hospitality alongside the sporting action.
