Swiss athlete Verro wins European 800m title
Switzerland's Audrey Verro won the European Athletics Championships 800m final in Birmingham on Friday, setting a championship record. Latvia's Oskars Grava finished fifth in the 200m.
The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham continue, with the final day scheduled for Sunday. On Friday, Switzerland's Audrey Verro took victory in the 800m final, clocking 1 minute 54.81 seconds – a new championship record.
Home athlete Keely Hodgkinson finished second in 1:55.01. Third place went to Dutch competitor Femke Brudersa-Bola, who crossed the line in 1:55.54 to match her national record; she is the 2025 world champion in the 400m hurdles. Lithuania's Gabija Galvīdīte was fourth in 1:59.12.
Latvian athletes did not win any medals that day. Oskars Grava ran 20.28 seconds in the 200m final, placing fifth. Javelin thrower Anete Sietiņa managed 56.24 metres, finishing 13th among 29 competitors and failing to reach the main competition. Pole vaulter Valters Kreišs cleared 5.45 metres, taking 17th among 27 vaulters and also missing the final.
Latvia is represented by seven athletes in four disciplines at these championships: javelin throwers Anete Sietiņa, Patriks Gailums and Krišjānis Suntažs; pole vaulter Valters Kreišs; 200m runner Oskars Grava; and race walkers Raivo Saulgriezis (marathon) and Modra Liepiņa (half marathon). The delegation also includes coaches Gints Palameiks, Mareks Ārents, Viktors Lācis, Ilmārs Saulgriezis, Andis Anškins and Modris Liepiņš, as well as physiotherapist Toms Zvonkovs.
The championships in Birmingham will conclude on Sunday.
