European Athletics Championships – Birmingham – Day 2, August 11
Sarah Healy of Ireland reacts as she crosses the line to finish fourth in the women’s 5000m final during day two of the European Athletics Championships 2026 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Sarah Healy (UCD AC) came agonisingly close to a European medal with a fourth-place finish in the women’s 5000m final on the second day of action at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Healy clocked 15:40.95 in a hugely tactical final, remaining to the fore throughout and covering the key moves as the field jostled for position during a slowly-run opening 3000m.
The UCD athlete remained firmly in medal contention as the pace increased over the closing laps and produced a determined finish, closing strongly over the final 150 metres but ultimately falling just 0.30 seconds short of bronze.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti claimed the European title in 15:37.84, with Spain’s Marta García taking silver in a season’s best 15:39.98 and Italy’s Micol Majori securing bronze in 15:40.65.
“Fourth is a really hard place to come,” said Healy. “It’s disappointing to be so close to a medal because, in a race like that, I felt I had a good chance.
“It was only my second 5000m and the race went by so fast. It was really physical and every time I got into a good position, I seemed to get pushed back again.
“I gave it my best, but I do have a little bit of regret about the last lap. I felt like I was coming again over the final 150 metres, but I’d left myself too much work to do.” Healy also praised the vocal Irish support inside Alexander Stadium.
“The support was amazing. At one point I genuinely felt like I was the most cheered-for athlete in the stadium. Irish athletes are getting incredible support everywhere we go these days, but tonight in particular it almost felt like we were in Dublin.”
Healy’s week is far from over, with the UCD athlete set to return for the opening round of the women’s 1500m on Saturday.
There were also strong showings from Bori Akinola (UCD AC) and Israel Olatunde (Tallaght AC), with both Irish sprinters taking to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m.
Akinola clocked 10.39 in the morning’s opening round before producing another consistent performance in this evening’s semi-final, finishing fourth in 10.38 (-1.7m/s). The performance was not enough to secure a place in the final, but represented a strong individual European outdoor championship debut.
“I don’t think I executed the race the way I would have liked, so I’ll need to look back at it again,” said Akinola.
“I would have loved to run a bit quicker and make the final, but it’s probably been my most consistent season and I’ve been putting together some good races.
“I just wish I had come into this form a little earlier in the season so I could have built on it. There’s a lot of experience gained, and now I’ll shift my focus to the relay on Saturday. Hopefully we can put in a good performance and I can leave here with something better.”
Olatunde made a hugely encouraging return to major championship action, clocking 10.49 (-0.6m/s) for seventh in his semi-final. While the performance was not enough to secure another European 100m final appearance, his return to the championship stage represented significant progress following an injury-disrupted season.
“It’s been an interesting year for me with injuries one after another, but I wanted to come here and compete and do my best,” Olatunde told RTÉ Sport.
“I feel like I did that today. It wasn’t enough, but I’m really proud of myself and the journey I’ve been on this season.
“Back in May, I tore two different tendons in my quad, grade three, and it was meant to be season-ending. But myself, the physios, Paul and Ciara worked really hard to get me to the start line. There were setbacks along the way, so I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received and thankful just to have made it to this point.
“Now all eyes are on the relay. I’m really excited to get out there with the guys and see what we can do for Ireland.”
Both Akinola and Olatunde will return to action as part of Ireland’s men’s 4x100m relay squad on Saturday.
Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers) brought his individual championship to a close at the semi-final stage of the men’s 400m.
Racing less than 24 hours after his impressive opening-round performance, Raftery clocked 45.81 for seventh in his semi-final.
The Donore Harriers athlete will turn his attention to the 4x400m relay team who take to the track on Friday morning.
Bori Akinola – Men’s 100m – Round One Heat 2 – 10.39 q (advanced to semi-final) Sarah Healy – Women’s 5000m – Final – 15:40.95 (4th) Bori Akinola – Men’s 100m – SF 1 – 10.38 (4th, does not advance) Israel Olatunde – Men’s 100m – SF 3 – 10.49 (7th, does not advance) Jack Raftery – Men’s 400m – SF 2 – 45.81 (7th, does not advance)
Sophie Becker – Women's 400m – Round One – 11:05 Rhasidat Adeleke - Women’s 200m - Round One - 11:40 Lauren Roy – Women's 200m – Round One – 11:40 Mark English – Men's 800m – SF – 12:20
Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – Final – 19:45 Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 200m – SF – 20:20 * Lauren Roy – Women’s 200m – SF – 20:20 *
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