What is the Multi-sport European Championships, where are they being held and how can I watch?

With the Birmingham Commonwealth Games having only just drawn to a close, sport-lovers haven’t had long to wait for the next multi-sport extravaganza. The 2022 Multi-sport European Championships got underway last week for its week-and-a-half schedule.

The biggest stars from across the continent face off in a variety of sporting events to determine Europe’s leading athletes. While the individual sport European Championships have been going for many more years, this year marks just the second instance in which they have joined forces and united under one banner.

Around 4,700 athletes from 50 European nations will compete for 177 gold medals, including a 115-strong Great Britain team. Among them is Dina Asher-Smith, who will look to defend her European sprint title after injury ruled her out of the Commonwealth Games.

The Multi-sport European Championships was devised to bring the respective European competitions all under one banner. Like with the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, the Championships take place every four years after its debut in 2018.

It was hoped that this would elevate the prestige of being the champion of Europe and create a must-watch, must-attend event. Athletes take part under a Mark of a Champion branding, with 177 gold medals up for grabs.

The European Championships Trophy will be awarded to the country that tops the overall medal table, which was won by Russia in 2018 with Great Britain as runners up.

In total, nine different sports agreed to play their respective European competitions under the same roof. They are athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis and triathlon.

Despite being included in 2018, the PGA European Tour announced