Black Country Olympic hero helps launch major project as Birmingham 2026 build-up begins
Black Country Olympic hero Mark Lewis-Francis believes next summer’s European Athletics Championships in Birmingham represent a “massive” opportunity to inspire the next generation.
The Darlaston Dart was back at his old Alexander Stadium home on Tuesday for the launch of Beyond, a programme aimed at ensuring the championships are a “platform for change” which maintains an impact long after the athletes have departed.
Organisers have promised to work closely with stakeholders to support regional benefits, with the launch coinciding with the announcement of £90,000 funding for two local projects, Access Sport and StreetGames.
Next August’s event will be the first time the UK has hosted the European Championships and Lewis-Francis, gold medal winner at the Athens 2004 Olympics, said: “It’s absolutely massive.
“I was involved in Birmingham 2022 and I think what it did for the region and the community, from my perspective, was amazing.
“I heard a lot of people say they would never have gone to Birmingham but they did for the Commonwealth Games and fell in love with it.
“The conversations are about community, legacy and schools, involvement in grassroots.
“Those are key factors because without the next generation coming through and being able to use these venues, there is no sport.”
The Beyond framework is based around three key pillars of providing community benefit through athletics and running, delivering an environmentally conscious event and improving accessibility and inclusion for all.
Initiatives include the Daily Mile, which encourages children to run or jog for 15 minutes each day. Each project will be delivered by or in partnership with specialist organisations.
Access Sport, a charity which supports sports clubs in deprived areas, intend to deliver a community-focused programme across the region.
Lewis-Francis, dad-of-four, led a group of local children on a warm-up on the stadium track as part of the launch event.
He continued: “I loved it. It was incredible.
“With the way our lives are now, everything is expensive.
“But athletics is a free sport to do. You just need your running shoes and a decent coach to come down here and get involved.
“When you do a sport it opens up other doors, other opportunities. I think it is crucial for the younger generation to participate in sport and not just be stuck on their phones.
“I am an 80s baby. My mom used to tell me to get inside. I’m telling my kids to get outside!”
Lewis-Francis was joined at the event by fellow former Olympians and Birchfield Harriers stars Aisha Hansen and Katharine Merry.
“The championships are a massive deal,” said Merry. “At this moment in time it has gone a little bit under the radar.
“But it will just build now and continue to build. When people start realising the significance and the size of it and the fact it is here, it will get up and running and this is the start of asking what is it going to do and what will it mean?”
Chair of the Birmingham 2026 Stakeholder Board, Royston Hoggarth, said: “These Championships are much more than a single week of elite athletics.
“With the right focus and partnerships, we can help build momentum around projects that leave a legacy long after the final medal is won. Beyond is our shared commitment to making that difference — with the championships as a platform for change.”
