Five British Athletes to Watch at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham

Key Points

• Five emerging British athletes who will compete at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, taking place from 10-16 August 2026, are Emily Newnham, Success Eduan, Kimani Jack, Charlotte Henrich, and Innes FitzGerald.
• The championships are slated to be held for the first time in Britain at Alexander Stadium.
• Emily Newnham, aged 22, has recorded a personal best of 53.92 in the 400m hurdles and has also won gold at the European U23 Championships in Bergen.
• Success Eduan, aged 21, has won the European U23 200m title and also won the UK 200m championship with a personal best of 22.43.
• Kimani Jack, an athlete who graduated with a degree in history from the University of Birmingham, is one of the emerging contenders in the high jump with a personal best of 2.31m.
  19-year-old Charlotte Henrich has smashed two Welsh records in the 400m events in the current season.
• 20-year-old Innes FitzGerald has won six European U20 cross country championships and has emerged as the double gold medal winner at the European U20 Championships held in Tampere.
• The top names to look out for include Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Zharnel Hughes, while the spotlight will be on emerging talent too.
• Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and an honoured sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team.

Birmingham (Britain Today News) August 07, 2026 – As the spotlight turns to Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium for the 2026 European Athletics Championships, attention will naturally gravitate towards established stars such as Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Zharnel Hughes. However, a quintet of emerging British athletes is poised to make their mark on the continental stage, offering a glimpse into the future of British athletics.

Who Are the Five British Athletes to Watch in Birmingham?

The 2026 European Athletics Championships, taking place from 10–16 August at Alexander Stadium, will showcase not only Britain’s seasoned champions but also a new generation of talent ready to step into the spotlight. Among them are Emily Newnham (400m hurdles and 400m), Success Eduan (200m), Kimani Jack (high jump), Charlotte Henrich (400m), and Innes FitzGerald (5000m).

What Makes Emily Newnham a Medal Contender in the 400m Hurdles?

Emily Newnham, 22, from Shaftesbury Barnet, has established herself as one of Britain’s most promising 400m hurdlers. This season, she has beaten her personal best in both the hurdles and the flat 400m, building on a standout 2025 campaign. Newnham won two gold medals at the European U23 Athletics Championships in Bergen, including a championship record in the 400m hurdles. Her personal best of 53.92, set in Madrid this year, would have secured silver at the 2024 European Championships, behind only Dutch star Femke Broeders-Bol, who has since moved up to the 800m. As reported by Jasmine Collett of Athletics Weekly, Newnham stated:

“I haven’t had time to think about what I did two weeks ago because I knew I had to go again today,”

reflecting on her silver medal at the UK Championships.

How Has Success Eduan Emerged as Britain’s Top 200m Sprinter?

Success Eduan, 21, has lived up to her name with a series of impressive performances. She won a European U20 medal over 200m at just 17 and claimed the European U23 title in Bergen last year. In June 2026, Eduan won the UK 200m title in Birmingham, beating world silver medallist Amy Hunt with a personal best of 22.43. As reported by Athletics Weekly, Eduan’s victory moved her to the top of the European rankings heading into the championships. She also contributed to a British victory in the 4x100m at the 2025 World Relays Championships.

Why Is Kimani Jack the High Jump Breakout Star of 2026?

Kimani Jack, a history graduate from the University of Birmingham, has emerged as an unlikely contender in the high jump. After winning two BUCS outdoor high jump titles and competing at the European U23S in Bergen, Jack cleared 2.30m for the first time in 2026, setting a personal best of 2.31m at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, Georgia. He followed this with a second-place finish on his Diamond League debut in Monaco, clearing 2.30m. If he can replicate this form in Birmingham, Jack is expected to be in the hunt for a podium finish.

What Records Has Charlotte Henrich Broken in the 400m?

At just 19, Charlotte Henrich has already made history by breaking two Welsh national records in the 400m. She ran 50.58 to finish third at the UK Championships in Birmingham, then lowered her record to 50.45 at the Wanda Diamond League in London. Those performances have singled Henrich out as a huge talent, and while she may need to drop a couple more tenths to challenge for medals, she has already shown a penchant for breaking records this season.

How Experienced Is Innes FitzGerald Ahead of Her First European Senior Championships?

Innes FitzGerald, 20, brings significant championship experience to Birmingham despite her young age. She made her World Championship debut in Tokyo last September and, as a cross-country athlete, has won six European U20 titles, including individual and team gold in each of the last three years. Last summer in Tampere, she won 3000m and 5000m gold at the European U20 Championships, breaking Gabriela Szabo’s 32-year-old championship record in the 3000m. While tactical nous may be an advantage for her more seasoned rivals in Birmingham, FitzGerald’s potential is considered limitless.

Which Established Stars Will Headline the British Team in Birmingham?

While the emerging talents are set to shine, the British team will be led by Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who will look to defend her European title. Dina Asher-Smith, the defending 100m champion, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who returns to compete in the heptathlon after silver at the Paris Olympics, are also named in the squad. Other notable names include Matt Hudson-Smith, Georgia Hunter Bell, Laura Muir, Jake Wightman, and Amber Anning.

Where and When Will the 2026 European Athletics Championships Take Place?

The 2026 European Athletics Championships will be held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham from 10–16 August 2026. This marks the first time Britain has hosted the event, and packed-out crowds are expected to witness the best of British athletics alongside Europe’s finest.
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What Is the Role of Novuna as the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics?

Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK, supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, and powering British Athletics on the global stage.

How Will the Emerging Athletes Benefit from Competing on Home Soil?

Competing at Alexander Stadium offers the emerging British athletes a unique opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd. As noted by European Athletics, the championships represent a chance to revel in the best of British athletics and get a sneak peek at the sport’s future in this country. For athletes like Newnham, Eduan, Jack, Henrich, and FitzGerald, Birmingham 2026 could be the platform that launches them into the senior international spotlight.

What Are the Expectations for the British Team at the 2026 European Athletics Championships?

With a star-studded squad including Hodgkinson, Asher-Smith, and Johnson-Thompson, expectations are high for the British team. However, the emergence of talents like Newnham, Eduan, Jack, Henrich, and FitzGerald adds depth and excitement to the team’s prospects. As reported by the BBC, British fans have plenty to tune into as a star-studded Great Britain team takes on the continent’s finest.