Nafi Thiam skips European Athletics Championships in Birmingham
The Belgian athletics world will have to do without its biggest star in 2026. Nafi Thiam, the 31-year-old athlete from Namur, has officially announced that she will not participate in the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Thiam is one of the most successful Belgian sportswomen ever. In the past, she won gold medals at the European Championships in Berlin, Munich, and Rome. Her absence in Birmingham comes as a surprise to many fans, given that she has consistently stood on the podium in recent years.
Although the reason for her withdrawal is not directly linked to an injury, the news is causing quite a stir in the sports world. The European Championships in Birmingham are seen as an important tournament, and the departure of a top athlete like Thiam leaves a void in the Belgian selection.
The Belgian Athletics Federation is now preparing for a championship without its figurehead. It is not yet clear whether other Belgian athletes will take on the role of favorite. The focus is now shifting to the rest of the team, which must prove itself on the international stage in the United Kingdom.