Medal ceremonies at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham were postponed Saturday after a man was arrested on suspicion of fraud. West Midlands Police said concerns were raised after the man was found in an area of Alexander Stadium without proper accreditation.
Transport at the tournament was suspended following the arrest and related security procedures. Spectators reported being held outside the stadium by security staff for more than an hour after the event concluded, with a large police presence at the scene. Six medal ceremonies scheduled between 22:00 and 23:00 BST were cancelled in relation to the incident.
A man in his 30s remained in custody for questioning, West Midlands Police said. Tournament organisers said security measures had returned to normal in the early hours of Sunday and that safety remained their priority.
Birmingham 2026 organisers said in a statement: "We recognise that the delays presented challenges for those affected and would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the evening." The organisers said more information about the postponed ceremonies would be released later.
