Emmanouil Karalis advances to the pole vault final at the European Athletics Championships

Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis successfully qualified for the final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on August 14, 2026. Karalis cleared the 5.60-meter mark on his first attempt to secure his spot. Meanwhile, fellow Greek athlete Giannis Rizos was eliminated from the competition after failing to clear 5.25 meters in three attempts.

The final event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 16, at 21:30. In post-event comments, Karalis expressed his focus and positive state of mind while also joking with his teammate and long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou. Karalis playfully teased Tentoglou regarding a previous incident where the latter reportedly forgot to bring his gold medal to an interview, jokingly promising that he would bring his own medal to the stadium if he succeeds.

Athletes noted that the outdoor conditions at the venue, particularly the wind, created a challenging environment for competition. Karalis emphasized his gratitude toward his supporters and his commitment to performing well for his team during the upcoming final.