Spain’s national team faces a mix of high hopes and notable gaps as the European Championships pivot toward Istanbul. A wave of recent performances by rivals has raised the bar, including Swedish star Armand Duplantis unleashing a fresh world best at 6.22 meters in Clermont-Ferrand last weekend. The leap forward underscores how quickly the sport evolves and how domestic campaigns can shift under the glare of new records. Spanish athletes navigated a rigorous indoor season that energized the track and field world, with standout efforts from Mo Katir and Mario Garcia Romo, while Asier Martínez sat out due to medical advice and veteran Mariano García stepped back to recharge from the indoor circuit. Four athletes who earned medals in Munich’s outdoor European Championships will miss Istanbul, highlighting both the depth and the shifting roster of Spain’s program.
Historically, Spain’s athletics landscape has leaned on the indoor circuit for its major medals. The medal table from European Championships since 1968 reflects that tradition, with a robust tally across 37 events. Yet as focus shifts outdoors, stakeholders weigh how to balance indoor development with outdoor ambitions. The indoor season remains a crucial springboard for many stars, especially with the World Cup in Budapest expected in August and the Paris Olympic Games on the horizon. The overarching aim is to sustain a strong pipeline for global competition with wider reach and greater rewards, while keeping indoor meets as a key arena for preparation and visibility.
stars
The sport is debating a pivotal calendar decision, as some veteran leaders resist sweeping changes. Istanbul will host a gathering of champions, including seven Olympic gold medallists who shone in Tokyo, underscoring the event’s prestige as a proving ground for elite performance. Among the names highlighted are Marcell Jacobs at 60 meters, Karsten Warholm at 400 meters, Jakob Ingebrigtsen at 1500 and 3000 meters, Miltiadis Tentoglou in the long jump, Malaika Mihambo in the long jump as well, Pedro Picardo in the triple jump, and Nafissatou Thiam in the pentathlon. Also on site is Femke Bol of the Netherlands, who recently shattered the indoor 400 meters world record once held by Jarmila Kratochvílová, underscoring the depth of talent assembled.
29 Spanish
The Catalan standout, who has strong ties to Turkey where he spends time, arrives in top form after setting a new Spanish record in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:33.28. Adel Mechaal is eager to test himself against a stacked field on Ataköy Arena’s familiar track, lining up against Jakob Ingebrigtsen in a bold bid to contest both the 1500 and 3000 meters. His presence reinforces Spain’s middle-distance strength as the team pursues podium finishes this season.
Mechaal won’t be alone in aiming for finals and more medals, even as the squad size dips to a ten-year low with 29 athletes in attendance. In recent seasons, Torun marked a high-water point with five medals in a single meet; Istanbul’s edition echoes that spirit, even if the tally is not identical. Oscar Husillos targets the 400 meters, Saul Ordóñez eyes the 800 meters, and Enrique Lopis competes in the obstacle events with solid rankings behind them. In the field, Jamie Gerra competes in the long jump, Jorge Ureña pursues the multi-discipline heptathlon, and Esther Guerrero remains a threat in the 1500 meters. The roster also includes Jael Bestue and Lorea Ibarzabal among a broader cohort of ten women representing Spain, signaling a deep, capable pipeline for future breakthroughs. While travel was not universal in the winter, a core group stays focused on Istanbul and beyond, ready to demonstrate resilience and competitive spirit on the continental stage.