LAUSANNE, august 15, 2017 - European AthleticsPresident Svein Arne Hansen paid tribute to the European athletes in actionover the 10 days of competition at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 aswell as the Local Organising Committee.

“It was a superb championship from all perspectives. The continental gold-medaltally of 18 titles was the best by an Area Association and I have to say thankyou to the IAAF World Championships London 2017 organisers for putting on anoutstanding championships on European soil," said President Hansen.

Europe also claimed 17 silver medalsand 18 bronze medals.

“The world-record crowds totalled more than 705,000 and I think they would haveenjoyed every minute of the championships, as I did as well.

“Taking all the factors together, this championship showed that our sport isstill well-supported by the general public in Europe, broadcasters, the media,sponsors and public authorities as well as other stakeholders. 

“The product we currently have, while we are always looking for improvements,is still clearly a very attractive one and this was reflected by events inLondon before and during the start of the championships.

“Many of the European winners in London, and other medallists, will now betargeting the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships as their next majoroutdoor stage on which to shine.

“Personally, I am already lookingforward to Berlin 2018, which will be part of the inaugural and innovativemulti-sport European Championships.

“A few athletes, like PawelFajdek and Ekaterini Stefanidi, will likely be defending European titles theywon in Amsterdam last year and the fact they are now the reigning worldchampions can only heighten the appeal of Berlin 2018.

“Being a very proud Norwegian, as well as a former Norwegian athletics federationpresident, my personal highlights were Karsten Warholm’s win in the 400mhurdles and Filip Ingebrigtsen’s bronze in the 1500m.

“Karsten won Norway’s first gold medal on the track since 1987 and has alreadysaid that his next ambition is to win a European title. He is one of a newgeneration of athletes who we saw in London – I can add the likes of Londonwinners Pierre-Ambroise Bosse and Nafi Thiam to this list, among others – whowill carry this sport forward.

“They are great personalities and thissport needs personalities to keep engaging the public.

“Likewise Filip is a great advert forour sport and I expect he will be in Berlin to defend his European 1500m title."

No less than 14 European Athletics Member Federations struck gold at London2017 while another four also had athletes on the podium.

Topping the European-only medal table, France won three gold medals and alsotwo bronze, although Poland won eight medals in total.