MUNICH: Germany's long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo believes the multi-sport European championships being held in Munich is a chance for athletics to gain attention from being in the shadow of football.
"It's simply important that sport apart from football is again visible in society," she said. "Germany as a sporting nation revolves above all around one type of sport.
"That's of course a shame because sport is more than just football.
"That's why it's nice and important that European championships in other sports take place in Germany. Children can experience something quite different and perhaps afterwards dip their toe in that water of these sports."
Munich will host nine sports, with 177 medal events, from August11-21 with athletics under particular focus after Germany struggled at last month's world championships.
Mihambo did add a second world title to her Olympic gold from the Tokyo Games, however.
In addition to athletics, there are also continental championships in beach volleyball, canoeing, sport climbing, cycling, rowing, table tennis, triathlon and gymnastics.
"I hope there's a synergy effect, so that all the participating sports get more out of it than would be the case with individual competitions," Mihambo said.
"It is nice to see competitions in other sports in the Olympic park and other venues, not just athletics." -- dpa
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