After European Championship bronze, Gailums eyes Beijing and Los Angeles

Latvian athlete Patriks Gailums, who won a bronze medal in the javelin throw at the European Championships, says that simply competing already felt like a great gift following a long rehabilitation process. Before this season, he recovered from a serious knee injury.

The bronze medal is Gailums' best result to date at top-level international competitions. He has been training under coach Gints Palameiks for the past six years.

Future plans

The athlete names the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as his main upcoming goals. He has not yet decided whether to continue competing later this season, saying the overall circumstances still need to be assessed, though his training work will continue regardless.

Balancing sport and work

Despite his sporting achievements, Gailums works day-to-day as head of the sales department at equipment rental company "Kono," and work duties await him after returning from the European Championships. He says he has a supportive team and understanding clients, which allows him to fit training around work — depending on where his coach is located, sessions take place either before midday or in the evening after work.

Gailums notes that combining work with sport is nothing new for him, as he already juggled serious school and university work alongside training in his youth. In his view, training itself does not take up most of the day, so the remaining time can be used productively.

Upon returning to Riga Airport, the athlete was welcomed by supporters with applause.