Polish sprinter Dominik Kopeć finished fifth in the individual 100-meter final on the second day of the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Kopeć, a Polish champion and 2022 European Championship bronze medalist in the 4x100-meter relay, recorded a time of 10.29 seconds in the final.
Kopeć initially missed qualification after placing third in the second semi-final with a time of 10.32 seconds. Owen Ansah of Germany won that heat in 10.17 seconds, while Jeremiah Azu of Great Britain took second in 10.20 seconds. Kopeć waited for the third semi-final results but missed the final lucky loser slot by 0.02 seconds behind host sprinter Louie Hinchliffe, who ran 10.30 seconds.
Late Entrance to the Final
Confirmation of Kopeć's place in the final arrived while Polish teammate Pia Skrzyszowska was winning a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles, where gold was decided by a photo finish. Kopeć entered the final after Hinchliffe withdrew due to an injury.
The final race started at 10:47 p.m. Romell Glave of Great Britain won the gold medal after completing the 100 meters in 10.09 seconds.
Jeremiah Azu claimed the silver medal for Great Britain with a time of 10.16 seconds, and Owen Ansah of Germany took bronze in 10.19 seconds.
