Birmingham, 16 August 2026
At the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the German steeplechase runners Frederik Ruppert and Karl Bebendorf celebrated a historic double in the 3000 metres steeplechase on 16 August 2026: Ruppert won gold, and Bebendorf secured bronze.
The performance of the two German athletes was the sporting highlight of the European Championships on the track. Ruppert prevailed in the final against strong competition to claim the title, while Bebendorf, finishing third, kept the German colours firmly among the frontrunners.
European record in May as a prelude
Ruppert had already turned heads in the run-up. At the end of May, he lowered the European record to 7:57.80 minutes in Rabat, Morocco, setting a mark that saw him enter the race in Birmingham as a co-favourite. He had also dipped under the 13-minute barrier over 5000 metres, further underlining his form.