From the oldest to the youngest to the most medalled – here are some European Championships stats ahead of this year’s event in Zurich

Jo Pavey could become the oldest ever women’s European champion this week as she contests both the 5000m and 10,000m at the age of 40 in Zurich.

The four-time Olympian, who turns 41 next month, is a real contender, too, and she demonstrated her gritty determination and speed just ten days ago when she battled her way to an incredible bronze in the shorter event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Find out who she’d replace as the oldest female champion as well as some other interesting facts in the stats file below.

Stats

Victory in Zurich would see Britain’s Jo Pavey become the oldest ever women’s European champion. The current oldest gold medallist is Irina Khabarova, who took the 4x100m relay title as a part of the Russia team in 2006 at the age of 40 years and 27 days.

Britain’s Jack Holden won marathon gold in 1950 at the age of 43 years and 163 days and is the oldest winner outright.

Morgan Lake is the youngest entrant for an individual event in Zurich and will be aged 17 years and 95 days when she lines up in the high jump on Friday.

Lake would not be the youngest high jump medallist if she made the podium on Sunday, though, as that honour goes to Britain’s Linda Hedmark (16 years and 139 days in 1962).

Dwain Chambers will be making a record-equalling sixth appearance at the Europeans, having contested every one since 1998. Only six others have also achieved that feat.

If he could make the podium in either the 100m, 200m or 4x100m, France’s Christophe Lemaitre, who has won four gold medals and one silver at the Europeans, could join the four men who have six medals to their name. Mo Farah could do likewise if he successfully doubles in the 5000m and 10,000m.

Poland’s Irena Szewinska is the athlete to have won the most European medals with a total of 10 – five golds, one silver and four bronze – in sprint events and the long jump from 1966 to 1978.

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