European Athletics medal ceremonies postponed after police arrest, Great Britain relay team among those left at stadium

Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith were among the athletes left stuck at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday night after a "police incident" suspended transport operations at the European Championships in Birmingham.

Organisers later confirmed in a statement that event transport was paused in order to carry out security measures, while West Midlands Police arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of fraud.

The Press Association understands the athletes still left on site - including the British men's and women's 4×100m relay teams who had won gold in the final two events of the penultimate evening session - were sent back to the high performance centre next to the venue.

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When transport services did resume about one hour and 45 minutes later, those competing on Sunday were prioritised.

They include Hunt, who is hoping to complete an historic quadruple of European titles in a single championships with gold in the inaugural mixed 4x100m relay.

There was a heavy police presence outside the 23,000-capacity stadium, which had been near capacity, and huge static queues of spectators waiting for shuttle buses, some of whom took to social media to complain about a lack of information.

It is also understood the decision to cancel six medal ceremonies, due to take place between 10pm and 11pm, was related to the police incident.

A Birmingham 2026 statement, issued in the early hours of Sunday morning, read: "Birmingham 2026 can confirm that transport operations have returned to normal following a police incident on Saturday evening.

"Championship transport was suspended until the necessary security measures had been carried out while West Midlands Police arrested a man in his thirties on suspicion of fraud.

"The safety and wellbeing of our spectators, athletes, workforce and the wider Championships family will always be our first priority.

"We recognise that the delays presented challenges for those affected and would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the evening.

"Further information will be issued on Sunday relating to the evening's postponed medal ceremonies."

Members of the public who were not waiting for the shuttle buses were free to leave of their own accord, but the security concern was understood to be significant enough that West Midlands Police took over the situation.

A statement on the event's official account, posted on X at 11.03pm, apologised for the "significant delays" but did not explain the cause.

Media and other staff who were working in the stadium and the adjacent media facilities after the general public had left were allowed to remain in those areas.

No explanation was offered for what was happening outside the exits, but there was no indication anyone remaining at the venue was in any danger.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: European Athletics medal ceremonies postponed after police arrest, Great Britain relay team among those left at stadium