Events & Meetings

“We are here again!” Karamarinov hails return to championship action in Torun

Home
  • News
  • “We are here again!” Karamarinov hails return to championship action in Torun

With the 36th European Athletics Indoor Championships poised to start in the Polish city of Torun this evening (4), interim European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov has hailed the return to action in spite of the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Speaking at a press conference at the Jordanki Cultural and Congress Center shortly before the first qualifying events begin in the Arena Torun, Karamarinov said: “These championships will be without spectators. But what is most important is we, as European Athletics, come back on the track. We are here again.  

“Our last competition was December 2019, the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. That was a really big break. In these challenging, unpredictable times our goal was only one: to get back to the championships again. And we succeed here in Torun. Today we will start again.” 

Karamarinov said the championships, which run until Sunday (7) and will involve nine athletes who currently top the 2021 world lists, will enjoy around 400 hours of television coverage through the European Broadcasting Union and will be streamed through the European Athletics website.

“On behalf of European Athletics it is my pleasure to be with you in Torun, in this wonderful city, as we prepare for the start of the Torun 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships,” he announced as he sat alongside Henryk Olszewski, President of the Polish Athletic Federation (PAF), and Michal Zaleski, Mayor of Torun.

Referencing the lack of spectators, Karamarinov commented: “We deserve the best atmosphere for our athletes, but we start with this because there is no doubt that safety is the number one priority. We have to be brave, but also we have to be careful. 

“The championships will be remembered for a long time because we have delivered for a first time European Championships in this situation. It is a good example from European Athletics. We have to deliver our championships and we also have to show to the others the best example of how to do it. 

“The Polish Athletic Federation have a great experience in organising top quality athletics competitions, and I am fully confident they will rise to the occasion once again.” 

Olszewski commented: “The Polish Athletic Federation has been working very hard with all its partners in preparation for these championships, which I am sure will be a huge success. Our thanks go to the city of Torun for cooperating with us in this immense effort to prepare the venue and championships.” 

He also highlighted the 2021 European Athletics Team Championships Super League is also scheduled to take place in Poland, with action due to take place in Chorzow on 29-30 May.

Zaleski thanked the Polish government for making the staging of the championships possible.  

“To make these championships we have cooperated with the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport, with the Polish Athletic Federation, with the regional authorities and of course with the city of Torun. 

“These championships offer us a great opportunity to promote our city as a city of sport where there are numerous venues to organise great sporting events.”




Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Official Partners
Broadcast Partner
Broadcast Partner
Preferred Suppliers
Supporting Hotel
Photography Agency