German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been confirmed as the patron of the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships.
The European Athletics Championships will be staged in the German capital from 7-12 August and forms part of the inaugural multi-sport European Championships along with co-hosts Glasgow from 2-12 August.
“It is a great honour and joy for us that the President of the Federal Republic will take over the patronage of the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships. It shows the great commitment of our head of state and the social relevance of the European Athletics Championships in Berlin,” said President of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) Clemens Prokop.
Steinmeier served as Vice Chancellor from 2007 and 2009 and was elected President in February on the first ballot. He is an ardent sports fan and a keen supporter of top flight German football club FC Schalke 04.
Germany has twice staged the European Athletics Championships before. Stuttgart held the 1986 edition before Munich staged the championships in 2002.
Organisers announced last month that 90,000 tickets have already been sold for the European Athletics Championships. Click here for more information on tickets.
More information on the 2018 European Championships:
- The Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships will be part of the first multi-sport European Championships along with co-hosts Glasgow.
- It will be a must-watch, must-attend experience that elevates the status of European Champions, uniting existing European Championships to celebrate the highest honour in European sport and celebrating the defining moments that create Champions.
- It is the continent’s ultimate multi-sport event, an 11-day celebration of European sport staged every 4 years.
- Seven of Europe’s leading sports (athletics, aquatics, rowing, golf, cycling, gymnastics, triathlon) will be brought together for the first edition.
- The European Athletics Championships in Berlin will be staged 7-12 August. The six other sports will be staged in Glasgow through 2-12 August.
- 4,500 athletes and 52 nations will compete across the seven sports.
- Potential TV audience of over 1 billion with millions more across multiple digital platforms.
- Over half a million spectators expected.