Helsinki or Brussels? Athletes could leave Helsinki’s European Championships dream on the ropes

The race to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships has reached its final stretch, with Helsinki and Brussels competing for the decision. The winner will emerge after a vote by the European Athletics Association board on Oct. 21.

Helsingin Sanomat asked leading European athletes at the Diamond League final in Brussels which city they would rather compete in. Their answers offered no clear advantage to either candidate, suggesting a contest that could be decided by the narrowest margin if the board’s votes are similarly divided.

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If the runway is close to the stands and the fans, I say Helsinki.

Greek pole-vault star Emmanouil Karalis won his first major title at the Brussels final, clearing 6.12 meters. Even so, he said he would choose Helsinki, provided the pole-vault runway were placed close to the stands and fans.

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There were so many fans. It was an amazing experience, and hopefully I can jump there again. Finland has a good atmosphere and a great athletics community, especially in pole vaulting.

“If the runway is close to the stands and the fans, I say Helsinki,” Karalis said. He recalled competing in Turku for the first time this year and enjoying the runway in front of the main stand. “There were so many fans. It was an amazing experience, and hopefully I can jump there again. Finland has a good atmosphere and a great athletics community, especially in pole vaulting.”

European discus bronze medalist Vanessa Kamga also backed Helsinki. She cited Finland’s experience hosting major events at the Olympic Stadium, while noting that Brussels had organized its meeting extremely well. Her criticism of Brussels centered on shelter from the rain during warm-ups, which she said could make hosting difficult without an indoor facility.

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In Finland there are really good Grand Prix meetings, so they are used to organizing events.

Brussels, however, has the advantage of a central location and strong support from nearby countries. Dutch shot-put champion Jessica Schilder said she would naturally vote for Brussels because it is close to home and she loves competing there. She praised the stadium, while saying the throwing circle needed some cleaning. Schilder also admitted she knew little about Helsinki as a rival candidate, joking that she might believe someone who told her she had competed somewhere else rather than in Finland, Sweden or Helsinki.

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Of course I’m voting for Brussels. I’m close to home and I love competing here. The stadium is really good.