Werro and Tamberi Win European Athlete of the Year
The track and field stars received the top honors at the 2026 Golden Tracks ceremony in Lausanne.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Track & Field
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Audrey Werro and Gianmarco Tamberi were honored as the 2026 European Athletes of the Year. The awards were presented at the Golden Tracks ceremony to recognize their standout performances this season.
Why it matters
These awards celebrate excellence in European track and field, highlighting athletes who achieved historic milestones and record-breaking results on the track and in the field.
Werro achieved a season-best 800m time of 1:53.70, while Tamberi secured his fourth European high jump title with a clearance of 2.37m. Additionally, Michal Rada set a European U20 400m hurdles record of 48.59, surpassing the previous mark of 48.74.
The players
Audrey Werro
She is a Swiss athlete who became the first from her country to win the European Athlete of the Year award.
Gianmarco Tamberi
He is an Italian high jumper who won his fourth European title and became the first Italian athlete to receive the European Athlete of the Year honor.
Michal Rada
He is a rising star in track and field who broke the European U20 400m hurdles record.
Viktoria Angelova
She was recognized as the women's Rising Star at the 2026 Golden Tracks ceremony.
The details
Audrey Werro became the first Swiss winner of the women's award, while Gianmarco Tamberi is the first Italian recipient of the men's honor. The ceremony also featured the presentation of inaugural coaching and federation awards to recognize broader contributions to the sport.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Golden Tracks awards ceremony held in Lausanne.
1983: Vladimir Budko set the previous 400m hurdles record.
2001: André Bucher won the men's European Athlete trophy.
2012: Pavel Maslák won the men's Rising Star award.
2016: Gianmarco Tamberi set a high jump national record.
Season Trajectory
These honors solidify the status of Werro and Tamberi within the current competitive hierarchy of European athletics. The awards conclude a season defined by record-breaking performances and set new benchmarks for athletes aiming to qualify for future international championships.
Fans tracking performance metrics can note that Michal Rada's 48.59 time officially lowers the U20 standard previously held at 48.74. These results influence future rankings and potential seedings for upcoming international events.
The takeaway
The recognition of these athletes highlights the importance of consistency and record-breaking potential in modern track and field. Aspiring athletes can look to these winners as examples of how technical precision and discipline drive success at the highest levels of the sport.
Further reading
For more information on current professional milestones, visit the Track & Field section.
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