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Smilla Kolbe criticizes racist abuse of teammates after European Championships

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 13, 2026, 7:46 PM

Last updated Aug 13, 2026

Smilla Kolbe criticizes racist abuse of teammates after European Championships

Summary

German 800m runner Smilla Kolbe spoke out against online racism directed at her teammates following her performance in the European Athletics Championships semi-finals. Finishing sixth, she addressed the issue during a post-race interview, emphasizing her concern for athletes facing abuse, particularly those who are not white. Kolbe's comments highlight the ongoing struggle against racism in sports. The European Athletics Championships continue to draw attention to issues of equality in athletics.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

Key Details

•Smilla Kolbe finished sixth in the 800m semi-finals.
•She condemned online racism during a TV interview.
•Kolbe expressed concern for teammates receiving racist abuse.
•The European Athletics Championships are ongoing.
•Her comments spotlight a broader issue of racial abuse in sports.

Latest Updates

7:46 PMThe Guardian Sport — ‘Show the necessary respect’: German athlete Kolbe slams racist abuse of teammates

What they're saying

"
800m runner uses post-race TV interview to condemn online racism “Don’t want to imagine what it would be like if I wasn’t white” The German 800m runner Smilla Kolbe has condemned the racist abuse of some of her teammates on social media after competing in the European Athletics Championships semi-finals. Speaking after finishing sixth behind Keely Hodgkinson, the 24-year-old made a point of extending a trackside interview to tell German TV: “I don’t want to imagine what it would be like if I wasn’t as white as I am.” Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Sean Ingle at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

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