European Athletics Championships: Criticism as thousands of empty seats in Birmingham

The Alexander Stadium was 55% full on Monday morning, 59% full by the evening and 56% full on Tuesday morning, according to figures from the organisers.

Jenny Meadows, Keely Hodgkinson’s co-coach, posted on social media to say: “Believe it’s full for some final evenings but a shame we couldn’t fill the stadium for the duration.”

British Olympian Sharron Davies also took to social media: “We must bid for more events but we must make it affordable, so we get to enjoy it first hand, fill stadiums, support our athletes, promote our country & inspire generations to come to love sport.”

Davies also criticised how official food vendors in the stadium were selling pork rolls for £18.50 and hot dogs for £15.

During coverage of the Women’s 100m final on Monday night, BBC commentator Steve Cram added: “Little disappointing in terms of spectators I have to say that, particularly down the back straight there.

“There’s not many people at all in those stands. I’m sure Birmingham is going to get to grips with these champs pretty quickly.”