University News Last updated 14 August
More than 65 emerging sports leaders from 44 European athletics federations have gathered at Birmingham City University (BCU) as the European Athletics Future Leaders Forum celebrates its 20th anniversary.
As University Partner of the 2026 European Athletics Championships at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, BCU is hosting the landmark four-day forum, which aims to empower the next generation of sports administrators and leaders.
Taking place at BCU’s City Centre Campus, the event gives participants the opportunity to take part in a series of masterclasses exploring leadership across all areas of athletics, while building valuable international networks.
The forum officially opened on Thursday (13 August) with a welcome from European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov and World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe.
“Today, I had the pleasure of officially opening the European Athletics Future Leaders Programme in Birmingham,” said Dobromir.
“As we celebrate 20 years of building networks, friendships, creating opportunities and empowering young people to shape our sport, we are proud to welcome 65 participants from 44 member federations.
“Thank you to World Athletics President Sebastian Coe for joining me and sharing his insights on what true leadership is about. I wish you an inspiring and memorable Forum. Connect, learn from each other, share your ideas and, most importantly, enjoy this experience!”
Lord Coe, who has attended the Future Leaders Forum since 2014, told participants that the future of athletics is in their hands.
"Athletics does not belong to one generation, we are just the custodians for a given period,” said the 1500m double Olympic gold medallist.
“It will be these young people’s responsibility to decide the future of athletics, to challenge the status quo.
“It has been a privilege to attend the Future Leaders Forum since 2014 and see the impact in real time over the last 20 years. I look forward to seeing the future impact of this cohort.”
BCU Chancellor, Paralympic medallist and TV presenter Ade Adepitan also joined participants on the first day, alongside BCU Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Marcia Wilson.
Together, they helped deliver the first masterclass, focusing on the importance of networking and building relationships that can support future careers.
"I am particularly proud that BCU is the University Partner for Birmingham 2026 as I know from experience that sport changes lives,” said Adepitan, a wheelchair basketball player who won bronze with Great Britain at the 2004 Games in Athens.
“It's fantastic to have the opportunity to share that experience with the Future Leaders Forum and the next generation of leaders."
Professor Wilson urged participants to make the most of the opportunity to connect with people from across European athletics.
“Make it your business to meet every single person involved in this year's Forum,” she said.
“Make the connections, step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, you never know what will come of these conversations.”
Adepitan also encouraged the future leaders to take a broad approach to their personal and professional development.
“Networks change your life, be a student of everything, be the most rounded person you can be, leave no stone unturned - that's how you can develop your future careers in sports as leaders.”
The ultimate goal of the Future Leaders Forum is to equip participants with ideas, connections and practical solutions that they can take back to their home countries and use to help shape the future of athletics.
The 2026 programme concludes on Sunday with Legacy of Leaders, bringing together former participants, new participants and member federations to exchange knowledge, share experiences and learn from each other.
BCU’s partnership with Birmingham 2026 is creating opportunities for students and staff to engage directly with one of the biggest sporting events ever held in the city, while strengthening the University’s role in Birmingham’s sporting and cultural life.
Throughout the Championships, BCU is also hosting a sports activation stand in the Birmingham 2026 Fan Zone at Alexander Stadium, giving visitors the chance to try sporting activities and find out more about opportunities to study at BCU.
BCU will also be at Champions Square in Centenary Square from Thursday to Sunday.
Tickets for Birmingham 2026 are available, with the Championships running until Sunday.
Find out more about BCU’s role as Official University Partner: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/european-athletics-championships
Find out more and buy Birmingham 2026 tickets: https://tickets.birmingham26.com/timetable
Image caption: The European Athletics Future Leaders Forum celebrates its 20th anniversary at BCU