European championships 2018: olympic champions set to star

For the first time seven sports have agreed to stage their continental showpiece at the same time under one umbrella. Scotland plays host to swimming, cycling, rowing, triathlon, gymnastics

and golf, while Berlin lays on the athletics. Swimming ace Peaty has vowed to use the opportunity to reassert his dominance after a first major international loss since 2014 at the

Commonwealth Games. For the husband-and-wife Kenny’s it is about proving to themselves they can still boss the track cycling world after becoming first-time parents. Peaty says he has “only

just begun to come to terms” with losing his 50m breaststroke crown to Cameron van der Burgh in Australia. “It was a massive learning curve,” he said. “But it’s given me fuel and almost

renewed me.” Another champion revitalised is Jason Kenny, having privately decided to retire after winning a sixth gold medal in Rio. Describing the arrival of son Albie as a “nice

distraction”, he admitted: “Life has changed a little bit, mainly the fact we don’t get any sleep or any rest!” Four-time Olympic champion Laura added: “It’s about showing Albie what we can

do, and if you really do put your mind to something what you can achieve. “That’s what’s important to me now, rather than just getting on a bike to win a gold medal.” The Euros kick off with

zero fanfare but that is about to change with blanket coverage scheduled across the BBC.