In February 2019, with two months to go, Szczecin was getting ready to host the eighth individual European Championships in artistic gymnastics. The city's Netto Arena, a modern multi-purpose venue, would be the stage for senior men and women from across the continent.
Why Szczecin?
Szczecin, in north-western Poland near the German border, had been building a reputation for hosting international sports events. A European Championships in artistic gymnastics was a step up: a week-long event with large delegations, international media and live broadcasting across Europe.
What hosting involves
Preparing an arena for artistic gymnastics is a substantial job. The competition podium, apparatus, warm-up hall, scoring systems and broadcast positions all have to meet FIG standards. Local organising committees also handle accommodation, transport, accreditation and volunteers, often hundreds of them.
The build-up
In the weeks before the championships, the organisers focused on: - Installing and certifying the competition and training apparatus. - Setting up the warm-up gym close to the competition floor. - Recruiting and training volunteers. - Promoting ticket sales in Poland and neighbouring countries.
How it turned out
The championships ran from 10 to 14 April 2019 and produced memorable results, including Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos's women's all-around title. For Polish gymnastics, hosting a major event was a chance to raise the sport's profile at home.
Looking back
The Szczecin championships are now remembered as the last individual European Championships before the pandemic. The build-up story is a reminder of how much work sits behind a week of competition.
See the Szczecin 2019 archive page and our report on the women's all-around final.
