AW – Athletics Weekly Magazine

The August issue of AW magazine is a bumper, in-depth preview of the Birmingham 2026 European Championships.

Anticipation levels are high as the event comes to the UK for the first time, and the site of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with a number of highlights expected on the track and in the field at the Alexander Stadium.

The women’s 800m, with defending European champion Keely Hodgkinson and Switzerland’s Audrey Werro renewing their rivalry, is expected to produce fireworks. But another athlete who is new to the event could well be a factor, too.

Cover star Femke Broeders-Bol is one of the greatest 400m hurdlers in history but has taken the bold move to switch to the two-lap event. In this issue, she discusses the process of adapting to that switch, the lessons she has learned and what she thinks her potential might be.

Elsewhere in the pages, there are further exclusive interviews as British 100m champion Romell Glave chats through his plans to upgrade his European bronze from two years ago, Emmanouil Karalis reveals the struggles he has come through to hit new heights in the pole vault, Elise Thorner discusses her 3000m steeplechase progress and high jumper Kimani Jack talks about his breakthrough year.

Columnist and Birmingham resident Katharine Merry writes about why the big occasions matter so much, while there are also previews and information on every event, plus we take a trip down memory lane to the European Championships of 1986 that produced so many memorable moments, as well as examining the history and evolution of the championships since their inception.

One athlete at the top of his game is Josh Kerr, who broke the mile world record so spectacularly in London. His coach Danny Mackey delves into how that performance was put together and what might be coming next.

There are also features with former sprinter Danny Talbot, 2016 Olympic hammer bronze medallist Sophie Hitchon and a preview of the World U20 Championships.