Israel hosts European Athletics Under-20 Championship in Jerusalem

Israel is hosting the European Athletics Under-20 Championship in Jerusalem from Aug. 7-10.

The Israeli Athletics Association has welcomed close to 2,000 athletes from 48 European countries at Givat Ram Stadium in Israel's capital. The large biannual tournament includes no less than 44 sports events.

Ami Baran, the president of the Israeli Athletics Association, believes such large international competition enhances the Jewish state’s position in the global sports world.

“It’s very, very important,” Baran said during an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “I think us hosting these kinds of tournaments sends a message throughout Europe that Israel is on the map,” he stressed.

Baran believes Jerusalem is increasingly accepted by the international community as a place where regular daily activities take place, such as sports.

“People are not politically worried anymore about having it [here], especially if we’re doing it in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a place where things are happening. It’s a controversial area, where a lot of Europeans in the European Union have always sort of been hesitant. But here you get full support — total support of Israel, and Jerusalem,” he assessed.

The Jewish state has noted a growing number of athletic achievements.

In August 2022, the Israeli men’s marathon team won the Gold medal in at the European Athletics Championships in Munich, Germany. The historic Israeli victory in Germany coincided with the 50th anniversary of the PLO massacre of Israeli Olympic athletes in 1972.

Looking ahead, the Israeli Athletics Association chief believes hosting sports events will continue to strengthen Israel’s place in the international arena.

“More tournaments will bring more recognition to Israel, and I think bring more recognition to our people in Israel who can see more sports,” Baran concluded.