Monaco enjoyed its most successful-ever outing at the European Small States Athletics Championships 2026 on Saturday, May 30, returning home with four medals, including two golds and two bronzes, in a landmark performance for the Principality’s athletes.
Leading the celebrations was Lai Yiu Lui, who claimed the European Small States title in the 100m hurdles, while Jean Woloch secured gold in the pole vault after clearing an impressive 5.27 metres to top the podium.
The championships also produced a breakthrough moment for Monaco’s women’s athletics programme. Marie-Charlotte Gastaud became the first female athlete from the Principality to win a medal at the competition, earning bronze in the 400m hurdles and writing her name into Monegasque sporting history.
A fourth medal followed thanks to François Ducourant, who delivered a strong performance in the men’s 800m to secure bronze and complete Monaco’s record-breaking tally.
The four-medal haul represents the Principality’s best result since the creation of the European Small States Athletics Championships, highlighting the continued progress of Monaco’s athletics programme on the international stage.
The achievement also reflects growing investment in athlete development and provides further momentum ahead of future international competitions, with Monaco increasingly demonstrating its ability to compete successfully against fellow small European nations across a range of track and field disciplines.
