It was a busy weekend in Europe, as athletes from 49 countries met in Birmingham for the 2026 European Athletics Championships. History was made in the race walk, world-leading marks were set in the field events, and one athlete accomplished an unprecedented four gold medal sweep.

Things were quieter in the U.S., but American stars took advantage of smaller meets to run fast times ahead of the final stretch of the season.

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Here are the top 5 stories from this weekend, August 15 - 16.

5. Brandon Miller Runs 1:14.08 600m, World No. 2 this Year

After six straight 800m races this season, Brandon Miller stepped down in distance to take on the 600m at Portland Track’s Stumptown Twilight in Oregon.

Miller was attempting to break Johnny Gray’s world record of 1:12.81, which has stood since 1986. He came through in a 24.34 200m and ultimately fell just short of the record, running 1:14.08. Miller’s time is the second-fastest in the world this year, despite reportedly dealing with a cold leading up to the race.

Nevertheless, Miller’s performance was a great tune-up before he returns to the 800m at the Laussane Wanda Diamond League meeting. The Men’s 800m is slated for August 21 at 2:40 PM ET LIVE on FloTrack and features World Leader Marco Arop and World No. 3 Emmanuel Wanyonyi. 

Miller has won his last four 800m races and will look to extend that streak in Lausanne.

4. Julian Weber Throws World No. 2 Javelin Mark

Julian Weber claimed his second European title on Saturday with a season’s best throw of 90.40m. 

It marked just the third time in his career that Weber has surpassed 90 meters and the first time doing it this season. Weber now moves up to World No. 2 this year.

His throw also broke a 28-year Championship record, which previously stood at 89.72m set by Steve Backley, making him the only man to ever throw over 90m in the Championship’s 92-year history.

Weber will face four of the top six men this season in Lausanne at the Diamond League meeting. The javelin will stream LIVE on FloTrack on August 21 at 2:22 PM ET.

3. Two World Records Set in Half Marathon/Marathon Race Walk

The European Championships saw two world records go down in the newly established Half Marathon and Marathon Race Walk events. 

María Pérez clocked 1:30:06 in the Half Marathon Race Walk, winning by 58 seconds and becoming the first woman to officially break the world record standard. 

In the Marathon Race Walk, 21-year-old Sofia Fiorini won by more than four minutes, walking a blazing 3:15:11 to secure her first major European medal and world record. 

Both distances became official World Athletics distances as of January 1, 2026. The international governing body had established performance standards to count as the events’ inaugural world records. The Half Marathon Walk standard was 1:30:30, and the Marathon Race Walk was 3:17:00.

2. Amy Hunt Becomes First Athlete to Win Four Golds at European Championships

Amy Hunt had her sights set on winning all four of her events on home soil, and she delivered. 

After winning the 100m and 200m earlier in the week, Hunt helped Great Britain & NI clock a European-leading 42.05 in the Women’s 4x400m on Saturday. On Sunday, she anchored the Mixed 4x100m to victory in a European record of 39.97, which is also the second fastest time in history.

Hunt’s four victories make her the first athlete to win four gold medals at a single European Championships.

Like many of her fellow European athletes, Hunt will be heading to Switzerland for the Laussane Diamond League meeting on August 21, where she will race the 200m against the likes of Shericka Jackson and Kayla White. 

1. Andy Díaz Hernández Jumps 18.15m, 4th Farthest Triple Jump Mark All-Time

One of the most impressive weekend performances of the European Championships came in the triple jump pit. 

Andy Díaz Hernández entered the Championships with a personal best of 17.87m. After fouling on his first jump, he unleashed a monster 18.15m jump in the second round, improving his personal best by 28 centimeters.

It was Díaz Hernández’s first time breaking the 18-meter barrier and moved him to No. 4 on the World All-Time list. His jump set a world lead and national record, as well as secured him his first European title.

We will see a rematch between Hernandez and Olympic Champion Pedro Pichardo, who took second, in Laussane on Friday at 1:10 PM ET. The competition also features World No. 3 through 6, making the Men’s Triple Jump one of the deepest events in Laussane. 

Don’t Miss A Second Of The 2026 Diamond League

The Diamond League is streaming live on FloTrack and the FloSports app. FloTrack’s Diamond League coverage includes live events, replays, videos, and articles throughout the season.

Where To Watch Diamond League?

The Wanda Diamond League will be broadcast on FloTrack and the FloSports app.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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