Credit: Anna Silenchuk, Chronicle.lu
From Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 July 2026, the Luxembourg National Athletics Championships took place at the National Athletics Centre (INS) in Luxembourg-Grund, bringing together the country's top athletes, including several who regularly represent Luxembourg at international competitions.
European indoor and world medallist Patrizia van der Weken competed in the women's 100m sprint at the national championships, posting the fastest qualifying time of 11.19 seconds before successfully defending her national title with a winning time of 11.22 seconds in the final.
Reflecting on her performance, Patrizia van der Weken told Chronicle.lu: "I feel better. I've been struggling a little bit for the last weeks, months, so I'm happy that I can be here. Not exactly pain-free just yet, but just to be here, have decent races and now I can see where I'm at after all the training and work."
She also explained why she continues to prioritise the national championships despite an increasingly demanding international schedule: "I always want to compete at nationals. I think it's nice and I think everyone should at least try to be here. We get so much support in whatever nature that is, and I think it's a good thing to be here, represent your club or Luxembourg and put on a show for the people who come to watch us."
This season, Van der Weken has already claimed two podium finishes on the Diamond League circuit, the world's premier one-day athletics series, and is now preparing for the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom, which begin in two weeks' time.
Looking ahead to the continental championships, she said: ”I’m super excited because if you had asked me this two months ago, I would've been pumped to go for medals, potentially win or at least be on the podium. Now I've been struggling a little bit, so I'm just fighting my way back, not focusing on the results, just the progress and getting to the start line somewhat ready to be competitive. Then we'll see how it goes."
Luxembourg's 2025 Athlete of the Year, Ruben Querinjean, who holds the national record in the men's 3,000m steeplechase, did not compete at this year's national championships. However, the Luxembourg athlete has already secured qualification for the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Explaining Querinjean's absence, Jean-Sébastien Dauch, Director General of the Luxembourg Athletics Federation (FLA), said: "Ruben has been a bit sick at the beginning of the season and also right after the Diamond League. So it will be safer to train again before Birmingham."
Jean-Sébastien Dauch also identified Vera Bertemes-Hoffmann as the athlete most likely to become Luxembourg's third representative at the European Championships: "Before, we have Patrizia and Ruben. And we are waiting for Vera Bertemes-Hoffmann. We hope she will run as fast as possible today. It's very close with the world ranking, but I'm quite confident. I think it will be good for her."
Vera Bertemes-Hoffmann went on to win the women's 1,500m national title in 4:12.04. While the direct entry standard for Birmingham stands at 4:03.50, she remains well placed to qualify through the World Athletics ranking system. Ahead of the publication of the final qualification lists, she is ranked 66th with 1,137 ranking points. On the second day of the championships, she added a second national title by winning the 5,000m in 15:57.54.
The 2026 European Athletics Championships will take place from Monday 10 to Sunday 16 August 2026.
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