Belgian Falcons take bronze in men's 4x100m relay at European Athletics Championships, Rockets finish fifth

Men's relay bronze

The Belgian Falcons secured the first international medal in their history with a bronze in the men's 4x100m relay final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Saturday. The quartet of Ibrahim Camara, Emiel Botterman, Antoine Snyders and Simon Verherstraeten clocked 38.70 seconds, finishing behind Great Britain (38.45) in gold and Germany (38.64) in silver. The result improves on the Falcons' previous best, a fourth place at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.

The Belgian national record of 38.40, set on 3 May at the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, remained intact. Verherstraeten, a finalist in the individual 100m the previous Tuesday who had been hampered by cramps, delivered an impressive anchor leg. Botterman recorded the second-fastest split of his leg, while Snyders and Verherstraeten were the fastest runners on their respective legs. Botterman had reached the 100m semi-finals individually, while Snyders was eliminated in the 100m heats and also failed to reach the 200m final after direct qualification for the semi-finals.

Heats and team changes

In the morning heats, the Falcons had fielded a different lineup. Amine Kasmi, Emiel Botterman, Antoine Snyders and Cédric Verschueren ran 38.84, qualifying directly as third in their heat behind Italy and Germany. From the first heat, Great Britain, Netherlands and Greece qualified directly, while Ireland and Poland advanced on time. For Kasmi and Verschueren, it was a first senior international championship experience. Verherstraeten was rested for the heats before rejoining for the final, with Camara also brought in.

The Rockets' qualification was more precarious. Rani Vincke, Rani Rosius, Janie De Naeyer and Delphine Nkansa finished fourth in their heat with 42.98, behind Switzerland, Poland and Hungary. Only the top three from each heat advanced automatically, but the Rockets posted the best losing time across both heats, earning a spot in the final alongside Ireland. In the first heat, Italy, Great Britain and Portugal qualified directly. Germany, Greece and Spain were eliminated after botched relay exchanges in the Rockets' heat.

Women's relay: Rockets finish fifth

The Belgian Rockets placed fifth in the women's 4x100m final. Rani Vincke, Rani Rosius, Janie De Naeyer and Delphine Nkansa ran 43.31, slower than their 42.98 heat time. Great Britain won gold at home in 42.05, with Switzerland taking silver (43.12) and Poland bronze (43.15). The Belgian national record of 42.54, set on 22 August 2008 at the Beijing Olympics by Olivia Borlée, Hanna Mariën, Elodie Ouedraogo and Kim Gevaert, stood unchallenged. That relay was later awarded the Olympic title after Russia's disqualification for doping.

For Vincke and De Naeyer, this Euro 2026 marked their championship debuts. Rosius had reached the 100m semi-finals individually, while Nkansa won bronze in the 100m before exiting in the 200m heats.

Belgium's medal tally

The Falcons' bronze brought Belgium's fourth medal at the Alexander Stadium. Saliyya Guisse had taken silver in the triple jump, Delphine Nkansa bronze in the 100m, and Jana Van Lent bronze in the 10,000m. The four-medal haul spans sprint, distance, jumps and relay events across the championship programme.

Great Britain38.45

Germany38.64

Belgium38.7

Great Britain

38.45 s

Germany

38.64 s

Belgium

38.7 s

Data from the article text

Great Britain42.05

Switzerland43.12

Poland43.15

Belgium43.31

Great Britain

42.05 s

Switzerland

43.12 s

Poland

43.15 s

Belgium

43.31 s

Data from the article text