European Championships Munich 2022: Five stars who shone in Germany
After an action-packed European Championships in Munich, Germany, Olympics.com looks back at five athletes who made the continental showpiece their own.
The 2022 edition of the European Championships has come to an end, after 11 days of action that saw familiar favourites reach new heights and new champions crowned in a spectacular showing of sporting excellence.
Over 1,500 athletes from 47 countries competed in Munich. And while there were many athletes who shone brightly across the 50 medal events, here are five stars who truly made the championships their own.
Femke Bol, Netherlands, athletics
Across four glorious nights in Munich, Netherlands’ Femke Bol won three golds to secure her place as one of the stars of the European Championships. Having declared she would take on a “double trouble” quest that included the 400m flat as well as her favoured 400m hurdles, Bol delivered a masterclass performance in both events to secure her first two golds of the championships.
Then just two days after winning her second individual title, the world 400m hurdles silver medallist ran a strong anchor leg to claim gold for the Netherlands in the 4x400m relay. She leaves the championships with three golds, one championships record (52.67) in the 400m hurdles and a Dutch record (49.44) in the 400m flat.
READ MORE: Bol bags third gold in Munich
Tom Pidcock, GB, mountain bike
At just 23 years of age, Team GB’s Tom Pidock has already established himself as one of the greatest cyclists of his age. The reigning Olympic and world cyclo-cross champion won a stage win at his first Tour de France just a month ago, before heading to Munich to compete once again in the mountain bike competition.
And in typical fashion, the irrepressible Brit stormed through the field to win the European title in spectacular fashion, crossing the line alone in one hour and 18 minutes.
Janja Garnbret, Slovenia, sport climbing
After winning Olympic sport climbing gold in the combined event at Tokyo 2020, Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret showed she is in a league of her own by winning three titles at these European Championships.
The 23-year-old began her campaign in Munich with victories in the individual lead and boulder events, before crowning her championships with gold in the new Olympic format combined boulder and lead competition, scoring a total of 199.9 points out of a possible 200.
READ MORE: Garnbret completes clean sweep in Munich
Asia D’Amato, Italy, artistic gymnastics
15 years after Italy’s last all-around title at the European Championships, 19-year-old Asia D’Amato brought home gold with a stellar performance in Munich.
Just 0.300 points separated the top three heading into the final rotation, but a score of 13.900 on the uneven bars secured victory for a delighted D’Amato, with Team GB's Alice Kinsella's winning silver and D’amato’s compatriot Martina Maggio taking home the bronze.
"I was determined to do well and my first exercise was a good start," D’Amato exclaimed after her win. "I was a bit nervous before the uneven bars, but I went for it and this unexpected gold came. I am really happy."
READ MORE: D'amato claims European all-around title
Fabio Jakobsen, Netherlands, road cycling
Perhaps the greatest comeback story of the championships was delivered by Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen who won the men’s road race on 14 August.
The in-form cyclist almost lost his life just two years ago when he crashed in the Tour of Poland, but a spectacular turnaround has seen the 25-year-old win 12 titles this year including this latest one at the European Championships.
"I think it's probably one of the biggest victories of my career,” Jakobsen said after the race, “I'm proud of this jersey and I'm going to wear it with honour for a year."
READ MORE: Jakobsen sprints to road race gold
