Polish pole vaulter Piotr Lisek withdraws from European Championships due to calf injury

Three‑time world‑medalist pole vaulter Piotr Lisek suffered a torn calf muscle during a training session in Spala, Poland, just days before the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The injury occurred when he landed too close to the pit and mis‑stepped, requiring a recovery period of two to three weeks and forcing him to miss the competition.

Lisek, who had previously missed the indoor World Championships after a pole broke in Karlsruhe, expressed disappointment at being unable to compete. The championships will proceed from Monday to Sunday, August 16, with the Polish team fielding 74 athletes but without its leading vaulter.