The incredible Sara Kolak after 10 years re-writes history: 'I never gave up'

Matthew Hudson-Smith claimed gold in the 400 meters at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, a track he has trained on since his ninth year and one that bears his name on its stands. The British athlete, who had previously won consecutive titles in Berlin 2018 and Munich 2022 before missing the 2022 edition due to injury, described the experience as surreal. “It’s a special feeling to win gold in front of friends and family,” he said. The northern stand of Alexander Stadium, named after Hudson-Smith himself, added to the significance of his victory. Running in lane nine during the final, he noted how passing under the stand during the ceremonial lap heightened the emotional impact of the moment. His winning time was 44.17 seconds, securing him the title ahead of Muhammad Abdullah Kounte. Hudson-Smith emphasized the importance of the race for both personal achievement and future goals, stating that the European Championship has always been a target for him, with the ultimate aim being the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He also mentioned the upcoming 4x400 relay, which will take place on Sunday, expressing confidence in his team's ability to secure more medals. In another highlight of the championships, Sweden's Andreas Almgren set a new record in the 10,000 meters with a time of 27:23.44, surpassing the previous mark held by Finnish runner Martti Vainio since 1978. Almgren described the last few laps as extremely challenging, yet he felt supported by the crowd, which helped him push through. The presence of legendary Finnish long-distance runner Lasse Viren further elevated the evening's significance. Cuba's Andy Diaz made history in the triple jump, achieving a distance of 18.15 meters, becoming the ninth man ever to exceed 18 meters. His performance overshadowed that of Olympic champion Pedro Pichard, who finished fourth with a jump of 18.08 meters. Diaz acknowledged that he could have performed better but expressed pride in his achievement. Germany's Julian Weber broke the European Championship record in the javelin throw with a distance of 90.40 meters, surpassing the previous record set by Steve Backley in 1998. Weber's final throw in the last series secured him the top spot, edging out his younger compatriot Nick Thumm, who had led the competition throughout. In a particularly emotional moment, Croatia's Sara Kolak returned to the European summit ten years after her Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro 2016. She won the women's javelin throw with a throw of 62.43 meters, marking her first major medal since 2016. Her victory was followed by a heartfelt embrace with Serbia's Adrian Vilagos, who took silver with a throw of 60.93 meters. Germany's Annika Ulbricht secured bronze with a distance of 61.53 meters. Kolak reflected on her journey back to the top, crediting her coach and partner Michel Zerak for helping her regain her passion for the sport. She expressed gratitude to the supportive audience and emphasized the hard work that led to her triumph. Kolak's return to the pinnacle of European athletics was celebrated widely, with many recognizing her perseverance over the past decade. Her victory not only marked a personal milestone but also highlighted the resilience and dedication required to reach such heights in elite sports.