The first European Indoor Athletics Championships were held in Vienna in 1970. The Championships were organized every year until 1990 after which they became a biennial event.
The European Indoor Athletics Championships will be the biggest athletics event for Belgrade since SPAR European Cross Country Championships in 2013, two European Athletics Team Championships 2nd League and other athletics events that were organized in the city.
Thanks to the achievements of our athletes over the past few years, the “queen of sports” has returned to Serbia in all her glory and top athletes like Ivana Španović, Asmir Kolašinac, Emir Bekrić and others have become sports idols and role models to the young generations. Because of the values promoted by athletics, the Athletics Federation of Serbia and the city of Belgrade are dedicated to the organization of this important event. The goal is to deliver an enjoyable experience for the spectators who will share in the excitement of watching some of the best athletes compete, as well as find inspiration in overcoming challenges off the race track.
The Championships will be held in Kombank arena, a state-of-the-art multipurpose hall for sports competitions, cultural events, exhibitions, fairs, entertainment and other gatherings. The arena is spacious and comfortable and equipped with the latest technology and a full range of guest services. Every year, Kombank arena attracts between 600,000 and 800,000 visitors. During the Championships, it will offer a seating capacity for 10,000 people. This multifunctional venue provides perfect grounds for hosting athletics competitions and enabling participants to achieve outstanding results. In addition, the construction of the athletics hall in Belgrade will be completed in 2015, providing athletes with a superb setting and modern facilities for training.
To make the Championships a true celebration of athletics and an event to remember, Belgrade is prepared to present itself in the best light – with a smile and bursting with positive energy, openness and traditional hospitality.
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and is known for its tumultuous history and rich cultural legacy. In 2009, Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher in the world, named Belgrade the city with the best nightlife. In addition to numerous restaurants, cafes and night clubs, Belgrade is known for its bohemian quarters Skadarlija, heaving barges on the Sava and Danube rivers, as well as Kalemegdan fortress, a cultural landmark brimming with history and a panoramic view of Belgrade’s rivers.
Belgrade is changing and developing while preserving its rich and diverse history of culture, architecture and urban vibe. The city is proud to have many talented athletes representing all sports, including Novak Djokovic (tennis), Ivana Spanovic (athletics), Asmir Kolasinac (athletics), Emir Bekric (athletics), Nemanja Vidic (football), Ana Ivanovic (tennis), Jelena Jankovic (tennis), Milorad Cavic (swimming) and many others.
Belgrade has successfully organized many important sports competitions and events. As always, Belgrade will ensure that athletes, teams, coaches, judges, journalists, doctors, spectators and other guests feel at home during the European Indoor Athletics Championships and that the “queen of sports” gets what she deserves: royal treatment.