ÖLV Record Team for the European Championships in Birmingham 2026: Enzo Diessl Leads 24 Active Athletes

Through direct qualifying standards, Caroline Bredlinger (800 m), Christania Williams (100 m), Julia Mayer (Marathon), Anja Dlauhy (400 m hurdles), as well as Lukas Weißhaidinger (discus throw), Endiorass Kingley (triple jump), and Enzo Diessl (110 m hurdles) qualified for the championship. In addition, there are athletes who secured their spots for Birmingham through other qualification routes — such as the European Athletics quota or the World Rankings Ranking.

Captain Diessl as the Link

Diessl was appointed team captain. After several strong performances on the international hurdles circuit, he is regarded as the figurehead of the current generation. According to the federation, the Lower Austrian native is also intended to serve off the track as a link between seasoned veterans and younger team members.

Alongside the established forces, the ÖLV is placing greater emphasis this time on young active athletes making their debut at a major event. The federation sees this as an investment in the coming seasons, during which experience is to be gained on the international stage. Disciplines such as the triple jump, discus throw, and hurdle sprints are considered the flagship events of the squad.

Relays and Marathon as Medal Fields

The relay disciplines are also in focus, where the ÖLV hopes for a strong performance. Above all, the 4x400 m squad with Dlauhy as anchor runner is considered a medal candidate. The marathon aces around Julia Mayer are also aiming for a place in the front third of the standings.

The sporting director expressed satisfaction with the personnel depth when announcing the squad, but also emphasized that each individual nomination was the result of systematic preparation over the entire season. They now want to give the active athletes sufficient time for recovery and final performance management.

Looking Beyond Birmingham

With the record nomination comes a logistical challenge: coaching staff, medical personnel, and home coaches must coordinate a team of this size at a multi-day outdoor European Championship. The federation announced that it would accompany the squad with an expanded support team.

The competitions in Birmingham simultaneously serve the ÖLV as a benchmark ahead of the upcoming major events. The focus is on gaining experience, international comparisons, and achieving qualifying standards — medals are described as an ambitious but not overriding goal.