Marcus Lawler has qualified for the semi-final of the Men’s 200m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
The 31-year-old Institute of Technology Carlow graduate ran 20.94 seconds in heat two on Wednesday morning when finishing in fifth place behind heat winner, Filippo Dezza. The Italian stopped the clock at 20.60 seconds, and is the fastest qualifier from this morning’s session.
Marcus Lawler is through to the semi-finals of the 200m at the European Championships. His time of 20.94 was enough to see him through after a slower than expected third heat. pic.twitter.com/x2OT9Z2Sd8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 13, 2026
With the 13 fastest times from this morning heats progressing, Lawler finished in 11th position overall to reach the semi-finals.
The bronze medal winner from the men’s 200m at the 2019 Summer Universiade will now join fellow Irish team member Seán Aigboboh in the men’s 200m semi-finals tonight at 8.05pm.
Marcus Lawler discovers that he’s through the semi-final of the men’s 200m and speaking to RTÉ he admits that he hadn’t planned on being involved in the event past the heats. pic.twitter.com/nyIrFisovs
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 13, 2026
Werro falls in Women’s 800m Semi-Final
The main story from the women’s 800m this morning, however, was the fall of Audrey Werro as she entered the home straight. The Swiss looked to stand on the inner kerb and fell face down on the track. Gabija Galvudte of Lithuania fell separately on Werro’s left, with both athletes getting up and completing their races. Jemma Reekie won that semi-final with a time of 1:58.61, ahead of France’s Anais Bourgoin in 1:58.84, with Werro’s teammate Veronica Vancardo taking third spot with 1:59.14.
Heartbreak for Audrey Werro after nasty fall 😔🇨🇭
The Swiss star finishes eighth after going down, as Great Britain’s Jemma Reekie wins the first women’s 800m semi-final. pic.twitter.com/Zt0ac5xF9Q
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 13, 2026
In the second semi-final of the women’s 800m, Keely Hodgkinson of Britain, won in 1:57.38, ahead of Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol in 1:57.46, with Eloisa Coiro of Italy also automatically progressing from that semi-final with a time of 1:57.74.
