European Athletics Championships face heat and low attendance in Birmingham

The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham are facing challenges including extreme heat and low spectator turnout. The British weather service issued an orange warning, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius, posing health risks to athletes.

In the decathlon, German world champion Leo Neugebauer maintains a lead but saw his advantage narrow to 36 points over the Netherlands' Jeff Tesselaar after the 110m hurdles. Niklas Kaul remains in contention for a medal, currently sitting in sixth place.

While the event is well-organized at the Alexander Stadium, reports indicate many stands remain largely empty. This lack of atmosphere has led to comparisons with the high attendance seen during the 2022 championships in Munich, potentially impacting future bids for major athletics events.