Hudson-Smith regained the title in the 400 meters, the British topping the medal table.

On the third day of the European Championships in Birmingham, Great Britain reclaimed the top spot on the medal table with three gold medals and one silver, marking another successful chapter in their dominance over the past decade. The highlight came in the men’s 400 meters, where Matthew Hudson-Smith secured victory in a thrilling race against Frenchman Muhammad Abdallah Kountu. Hudson-Smith, who had previously been stripped of his title in Rome two years ago, returned to form with a time of 44.17 seconds, reclaiming the European crown he had won in Berlin 2018 and defended in Munich 2022. His win was followed by a bronze for Netherlands' Jonas Phijffers, who set a new national record with 44.41 seconds. This marks the 14th gold medal for Great Britain in the men's 400 meters at European Championships, underscoring their long-standing supremacy in this event. The competition also saw a notable performance in the women’s 400 meters hurdles, where Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalová claimed gold in a time of 52.91 seconds, narrowly edging out host nation’s Emily Newnham, who took silver in 53.33. Portugal’s Fatoumate Binte Diallo rounded out the podium with bronze in 53.55. Meanwhile, Finland made history in the discus throw, with 23-year-old Silja Kosonen winning her first senior European medal after a stellar performance of 76.28 meters. Italy’s Sara Fantini and Norway’s Beatrice Nedberge Llano secured silver and bronze respectively, while Poland’s Anita Włodarczyk, a four-time Olympic and world champion, finished fourth with 72.37 meters, just shy of the podium. In the men’s 110 meters hurdles, Switzerland’s Jason Joseph emerged victorious with a time of 13.12 seconds, securing his second European medal in open-air athletics following bronze in Rome two years prior. France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey and Poland’s Jakub Szymanski completed the podium in 13.16 and 13.26 seconds respectively. Joseph’s win added to the momentum for Great Britain, which has now secured its 14th gold in the men’s 400 meters since 2000, further cementing its legacy in the event. Elsewhere, Sweden’s Andreas Almgren delivered a historic performance in the men’s 10,000 meters, breaking the European Championships record with a time of 27:23.44. Almgren, who led the pack from the outset, maintained a relentless pace throughout the race, ultimately finishing ahead of a field of 25 competitors. His achievement marked a significant moment in European athletics, as he became the first athlete to break the 27-minute barrier in this distance at the European level. Almgren described the final kilometers as “like running through fire,” emphasizing the physical and mental demands of the race. His victory was celebrated alongside the presence of Finnish legend Lasse Viren on the stadium’s tribune, adding historical weight to the occasion. Cuba’s Andy Diaz also made waves in the triple jump, achieving a distance of 18.15 meters in the second round of the final, placing him among the elite in the sport. His performance was particularly impressive given the high caliber of competition, including reigning Olympic and world champions such as Pedro Pichardo, who narrowly missed out on gold. Diaz’s result underscored the growing strength of athletes from outside traditional powerhouses, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape of European athletics. Germany’s Julian Weber continued his dominant run in the javelin throw, setting a new European Championships record with a throw of 90.40 meters. This mark surpassed the previous record held by Steve Backley since 1998 and highlighted Weber’s consistency and skill. His success was matched by the emergence of younger talent, such as Nick Thumm, who, despite being 10 years younger than Weber, played a crucial role in the competition by maintaining the lead throughout the event. As the championships progressed, the atmosphere in Birmingham remained electric, with fans and athletes alike contributing to a vibrant sporting environment. The city, known for its rich athletic heritage, provided the perfect backdrop for these historic performances. With several more days of competition remaining, the focus will soon turn to relay events, where Great Britain aims to continue its medal-winning streak. For now, the achievements of the past three days stand as a testament to the enduring excellence of European athletics.