Medal ceremonies at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham were postponed following an arrest on suspicion of fraud. Transport services at the Alexander Stadium were also suspended on Saturday due to the incident and subsequent security protocols.
Spectators reported being held outside the venue by security for over an hour after the event concluded, with a significant police presence observed. The evening session saw Great Britain secure gold medals in both the men's and women's 4x100m relays.
Tournament organizers stated that transport was halted to allow for necessary security measures, and operations had resumed normal service in the early hours of Sunday. A statement from Birmingham 2026 emphasized that the safety and well-being of all involved was their top priority and thanked attendees for their patience.
More details regarding the postponed medal ceremonies are expected to be released. West Midlands Police confirmed that a man in his 30s remains in custody and is being questioned. The Alexander Stadium's capacity is approximately 23,000, and it appeared to be near full attendance during the session.
An announcement during the evening indicated that six medal ceremonies, scheduled between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM BST, were cancelled, reportedly in connection with the police incident. Social media posts from attendees described lengthy queues for shuttle buses and visible police activity on the main road outside the stadium.
An official statement on the event's X account acknowledged significant delays in departing the venue and assured that buses and coaches would begin arriving, with departures commencing gradually. The statement urged attendees to follow instructions from safety personnel and marshals.