Welcome Message from the Interim President of
European Athletics
On behalf of European Athletics, I am very pleased to welcome everyone to the 13th edition of the European Athletics U23 Championships. Estonia has been a very welcoming and generous host of several of our age group championships in recent years and it is always a pleasure to be come back to Tallinn.
I should add a particular note of thanks at the outset to the Estonian Athletic Federation – Eesti Kergejõustikuliidu – and all their local partners, particularly the City of Tallinn, for stepping in at short notice and agreeing to stage this event with just a few months to prepare after the original hosts were unable to do so because of coronavirus pandemic
restrictions. Staging to back-to-back events, with the European Athletics U20 Championships also here next week, is no easy task but the enthusiasm and experience of the Local Organising Committee means that I have every confidence both events will be hugely successful and generate many fond memories both on and off the track.
This event returns to Tallinn after a gap of six years, so it has the honour of being the first city to stage these championships twice since they were inaugurated in 1997.
The original purpose of establishing these championships was to bridge the gap between U20 and senior competition for Europe’s leading athletes and they have certainly achieved that objective over the last 24 years.
Looking back at the results from 2015 when these championships were last in Tallinn, we can see that the list of winners included Poland’s Patryk Dobek, Croatia’s Filip Mihaljevic, Germany’s Malaika Mihambo and Christin Hussong and Hungary’s Xenia Krizsan.
This group of athletes, and a number of others who competed on that occasion, have progressed admirably and have a chance to stand on the podium at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the next few weeks. In similar fashion, I expect many of the participants here this week to also make an impact on the global and continental stages of our sport in the years to come. History tells us a few are likely to be among the major championships medals as soon as the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships next year. I have mentioned this above, but I am happy to say it again, European Athletics is very grateful to the Estonian Athletic Federation, the city of Tallinn as well as all the officials and volunteers with the Local Organising Committee for all their hard work and commitment to staging this event.
I wish everyone an enjoyable and memorable event but, most of all, a safe championships.
Dobromir Karamarinov
European Athletics Interim President
Welcome Message from LOC President and the President of the Estonian Athletics Association
Dear fans of athletics,
It is with great joy I welcome you to Tallinn, which will be the centre of attention for all athletics fans across Europe almost for two consecutive weeks. As a culmination of European athletics outdoor season, over 2000 athletes will be gathering here to take part of the U23 European Championships July 8-11, and U20 European Championships July 15-18. It is a historical moment to stage such high-level events back-to-back in one city –Estonia and Tallinn have been given this opportunity and we give our best to make both events successful and memorable for everyone.
These two championships will each bring more than 1000 finest and most enthusiastic European athletes from over 45 countries to the Kadriorg Stadium. Among them, there are surely Olympic Champions of tomorrow. Looking back at 2011 U20 Championships and 2015 U23 Championships that were both staged in Tallinn, we can see that many world-class athletes of today had their first victories and successes at our Stadium.
Expectations are high – everyone expects memorable competitions, outstanding results, new records and rising stars. We promise to provide a warm welcome to delegations, excellent competition venue and wish that all will have fond memories on and off the track. The Kadriorg Stadium, established in 1926, is rich in traditions and records. At this venue many World Records have been set and numerous high-level international and national competitions have been held, creating long-lasting memories for the fans. The National Stadium of Estonian athletics is once again ready to host high-level international competitions where historic performances and top results will be made.
Athletics has always been a very popular sport in Estonia. The Estonian National TV (ETV) has been producing TV-series of youth athletics competition called “TV 10 Olympic Starts” for the last 50 years. Under the eyes of a large TV audience, many stars of Estonian athletics have risen from this competition. All World, European and Estonian Athletics championships have always been broadcasted live on the Estonian TV. The Estonian National TV (ETV) is broadcasting both the U23 and U20 European Championships live as well. Estonian athletics fans appreciate a good event, strong competition and outstanding results. Of course, expectations are especially high for good results, focusing on the performances of the Estonian athletes.
However, a warm atmosphere and supportive applause are promised for everyone. All athletics fans will be able to enjoy the competitions either on-site, through live TV, or internet. The newly renovated Kadriorg Stadium is ready, and the organising team is eager to start the championships!
Welcome to Tallinn!
Erich Teigamägi
The President of LOC and the Estonian Athletics Association
Welcome Message from the Mayor of Tallinn
Dear European athletics family
Welcome to Tallinn, welcome to Estonia!
It is a great honor and also a tremendous responsibility for us to host the U23 and U20 European Championships, which bring best young athletes from around the Europe to Tallinn.
Due to the corona pandemic these last seasons have been difficult for all of us and this has been a big challenge for everyone. The virus has limited our travel opportunities and made it complicated to organize the trainings and competitions. I hope that critical times are over and normality will be restored soon. Athletes and sports organizations are strong and adaptable which helps to ensure development even in unstable conditions.
And for that very reason, we are sure that this year’s both championships will be extraordinary events that will be remembered by great results and great organization. We would especially like to thank the Estonian Athletics Association which has done an excellent job of organizing these championships. We have no doubt that they will offer a very well and smoothly organized competition for you.
We wish all of you a pleasant stay here in Tallinn. If you do not have the possibility to venture into the Tallinn old town this time, then please be sure to come back as Tallinn has so much to offer.
Good luck for the competitions!
Mihhail Kõlvart
Mayor of Tallinn