European Athletics can announce the 2021 European 10,000m Cup will now take place in Birmingham on 5 June.
The European 10,000m Cup was due to be held in conjunction with the Night of the 10,000m PBs in London for the third successive edition but the event was cancelled in January due to concerns the Parliament Hill Athletics Track was not a coronavirus-secure facility.
European Athletics has worked with British Athletics since then to find a suitable alternative host and an agreement has been reached with the University of Birmingham which can be situated in the south-west of Great Britain’s second largest city by population.
The venue for the 2021 European 10,000m Cup is the University of Birmingham Athletics Track and the event will combine the Muller British Athletics 10,000m Championships which also serves as the qualifying event for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
European Athletics Interim President Dobromir Karamarinov said: “We are pleased we have been able to work with British Athletics to find an alternative venue for the 2021 European 10,000m Cup and we want to thank the University of Birmingham for stepping forward at this late stage.
“The European 10,000m Cup is one of the most prestigious and long-running fixtures on the European calendar. This year’s event will have an even greater significance as it also serves as an excellent opportunity for athletes aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics later this summer.
“The fact the European 10,000m Cup also incorporates the British Championships and Olympic Trials will only help to raise the profile of the event. I am sure the whole distance running fraternity is greatly looking forward to this year’s event on 5 June.”
British Athletics Competitions and Events Director Katie Brazier said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the University of Birmingham to bring the Müller British Athletics 10,000m Championships and the European 10,000m Cup to Birmingham.
“Following consultation with athletes and coaches, as well as other key stakeholders, it is fantastic news that we can host a Covid-19 secure environment for this summer’s event. So, our thanks to the University of Birmingham for their cooperation during conversations over the last few weeks.”
Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham Andy Alford said: “We thank British Athletics and European Athletics for selecting us to host this event in testing times, and to our colleagues across the campus who have already begun preparations to deliver a safe, yet exciting, event for the athletes involved.
“With the University of Birmingham already set to host two sport events and the main athlete village for next year's Commonwealth Games it is great to have been selected for another world class event this summer.”
The European 10,000m Cup did not take place in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2019 edition was held in parallel with the Night of the 10,000m PBs in London where Yemaneberhan Crippa won the individual title in the men’s race and led Italy to the team title.
Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter successfully defended her individual title in the women’s race while Eilish McColgan led Great Britain & NI to the overall team title.