Henriette Jaeger wins 400m gold in Birmingham; NR 49.04, fifth-fastest time worldwide

2026 European Athletics Championships: Norway’s Henriette Jaeger cruises to 400m gold

The Norwegian ran a new national record of 49.04 to claim her first individual title of the European Championships, with defending champion Natalia Bukowiecka of Poland taking silver, while Netherland’s Lieke Klaver completed the podium with bronze.

Henriette Jaeger let out a scream of celebration as she crossed the finish line to claim the women’s 400 metres title in a dominant showing at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Saturday (15 August).

The 23-year-old European U23 champion was heavily tipped to win the title after a remarkable start to the season in which she lowered her own national record to 49.15 seconds .

She had also anchored Norway’s mixed 4x400m relay team to gold earlier at these championships, repeating a feat she achieved at the World Athletics Relays Championships held in May.

Following a great start, Jaeger emerged on to the home straight with victory already looking certain. The only question was how quickly she would cross the finish line.

She stopped the clock in a new Norwegian record and European lead of 49.04 , a performance that also ranks as the fifth-fastest time in the world this year .

The win is her first individual continental title and her second of these championships following Monday’s mixed 4x400m gold.

“After getting fourth in Rome in the 200m, it’s insane to be here as champion,” Jaeger told the media. “It’s so crazy to be here with my second gold of the championships.

“ I definitely left it all on the track . I’m just filled with so much excitement and shock right now. Before the race I was telling myself, ‘I can do it, I just need to push and believe in myself’. That’s exactly what I did and that’s why I have the gold.”

Defending champion Natalia Bukowiecka of Poland took silver in 50.04 , claiming her fifth European Championships medal.

The bronze went to Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands, the Paris 2024 mixed 4x400m relay champion, who matched the bronze medal she won at the 2024 European Championships with 50.15.

Picture by 2026 Getty Images

Athletics | European Championships | Birmingham | United Kingdom