Lieke Klaver and Zane Weir, who will be taking part in the 1st Division competition starting today (23) in the Silesia 2023 European Athletics Team Championships, have highlighted the unique benefit of the event to the sport in general.
Speaking at a press conference in the Silesian Stadium a few hours before the first action of the day, European indoor 400m silver medallist Klaver, who will represent the Netherlands in the women’s 200m, commented: “I think this is a very nice competition. You watch the results of the other athletes a bit more.
“And with this competition it is possible for every athlete in every event to take part. It makes it easier to experience such a high level of athletics and that’s nice.”
Weir, who won European indoor gold in the shot put for Italy earlier this year, added: “These Team Championships are great in terms of the accessibility for athletes included.
“Athletics is very much an individual sport but this event gives us the opportunity to benefit from the characteristics of team sports.”
Asked to comment on predictions that Italy, who narrowly missed out on winning the event when it was at the same location two years ago, would be successful, Weir responded with circumspection.
“I don’t think expectations are very good in sport - or anywhere,” he said. “It always ends in disappointment. If you win it was always expected, and if not it’s disappointing. So I don’t really like expectations.
“But I am looking forward to everything coming together and to our team giving the performance we know we are capable of.”
Looking ahead to Rome’s staging of the European Athletics Championships next June, he said: “To have the Championships in such a beautiful country will definitely be something special.
Pia Skrzyszowska, Poland’s 22-year-old European 100m hurdles champion, said she had warm memories of the Slaski Stadium, having won the 100m and 100m hurdles there at the 2021 edition of the Team Championships as the host nation retained its title.
“I hope to provide 16 points for the team again tomorrow in the 100m hurdles,” she said. "The whole team goal is to win again. I was in Bydgoszcz in 2019 and Silesia in 2021 and I think we can do it one more time.
“The spirit is really good, we are going to cheer our team every day, especially at the end with the [mixed 4x400m] relay, and hopefully we can celebrate together after these three days.
“I have a personal best from this stadium as it was where I set my European U23 record of 12.51. It was a really weird day for me because I wasn’t feeling good for that result. So this is some special place for personal bests or records even if you don’t feel good!”
Home pole vaulter Piotr Lisek, three times a world medallist and winner at this event in Bydgoszcz four years ago, echoed his teammate’s comment about the spirit in the camp.
“We will try to win again. It will not be easy for us but I think this mindset might push us forwards,” he said.
Mike Rowbottom for European Athletics