British Athletes Choose from Three Kits at European Championships

Athletes from Great Britain and Northern Ireland are allowed to wear one of three different colored kits during the 2026 European Athletics Championships. This choice has led to some confusion among viewers, particularly noted during the women's 100m final where Dina Asher-Smith wore a striped jersey while Amy Hunt opted for a solid purple kit.

This situation has also been observed in other events throughout the week. In addition to the striped and purple kits, a block white strip is available for athletes. This practice mirrors the options provided at last year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where athletes like Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman wore different styles during the men's 1500m semi-finals.

A spokesperson for British Athletics explained that the variety of kits is intended to accommodate the individual needs, performance, preferences, and comfort of the athletes. The blue kit is designed for aerodynamic sprinting, while the white sleeveless top offers a lighter option for non-sprint events. Additionally, there is a dedicated finals kit reserved for significant championship moments.