Britain's Romell Glave: From two serious back injuries and 2022 in a back brace to European 100m champion - 'Delayed but not denied'

Romell Glave chats exclusively to Sky Sports following his 100m European Athletics success

"2026 was my year of redemption," Romell Glave exclusively tells Sky Sports two days on from when he stood on the podium draped with a 100m gold medal at the European Championships.

The 26-year-old's story and journey to the point of becoming European champion in athletics' marquee event is a remarkable one. "Delayed but not denied," Glave says, with a twinkle in his eye.

Born in Manchester, Jamaica, Glave moved to the UK at the age of 15, joined Croydon Harriers, and by the age of 17 was the fastest 100m sprinter on the planet for his age group, clocking a time of 10.21.

Injuries hit regularly and harshly over the intervening years. So much so that he spent the majority of 2022 in a back brace having fractured vertebrae - issues first occurring when he was forced to train on grass due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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His back injury meant he was only able to make his European Championship debut for Britain in 2024, aged 24.

At that competition, Glave qualified for the 100m final and claimed the bronze medal in a tight race, but though a quest for more followed, he then fractured and inflamed his back for a second time, forcing him to miss out on the Olympic Games in Paris.

In 2026, he returned with a vengeance to succeed. He won gold in the 60m at a World Indoor Athletics meet in Stockholm - defeating Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson. He broke the 10-second barrier legally for the first time when he ran 9.98 to win the British title in June, and lowered his personal best again to 9.97 in London the following month.

All his work then culminated in European Championship 100m gold in Birmingham on Tuesday.

"It's been a journey and a half and also a total rollercoaster," Glave tells Sky Sports. "And I know success was a long time coming.

"I just needed to stay healthy because I knew that with the support I've had for the last three years since I had my back fracture, from medical staff like Nick Allen and Peter Horobin who have been there for me, I had a great chance.

Glave was the world's fastest 17-year-old but injuries held him back up to now

"To be able to stand here as a European champion means a lot. It's testament to the hard work they put in to get me to the line and also to keep showing up for me because without them, I don't know if this would be possible.

"It's been a euphoric moment for me, an unreal feeling. Just a feeling of relief the job is accomplished. This is why we do this sport, it means so much to me."

'2026 was my year of redemption - nothing was stopping me from succeeding'

Hit by one injury knockback after another, many athletes may even have called it quits.

Instead, Glave tackled 2026 with an intensive determination to succeed. So much so that even when doubts, nerves or physical issues crept in he was able to channel them out.

It was notable watching the start line to the 100m final just how relaxed Glave appeared, a state very difficult to achieve ahead of an event that means so much and that he would have worked so hard towards. But this was an athlete totally in flow.

"I would say I came into this season just to show a bit of redemption after the loss of years, loss of seasons to injury," Glave says.

"But to also start this season with a very resilient mindset of: 'I want to go for everything.' I was a 2024 bronze medallist at the European Championships and missed the gold medal by a small margin. So why not dream bigger and upgrade my medal to gold?

"That was the aim and objective for the season, from the start of the season. To be European champion and to be able to walk away from from that 100m being crowned king of Europe. It's an amazing feeling.

"It brings me calmness. I've been dreaming of this moment and to be able to live it, it's very surreal.

Glave and British team-mate Jeremiah Azu finished first and second in the 100m final

"Over the last few days, I have had discomfort in my abdominal muscles, but I was not going to let that stop me from obtaining my objective.

"I was able to go out there, regardless of how I was feeling, the discomfort I was enduring, and just focus on the job that was presented in front of me. I got the job done.

"I was ready for this moment, this occasion. I was ready mentally, most importantly, regardless of how I was feeling emotionally or physically, I wasn't going to let that take away the moment from me because I prepared all season long for it.

"This season was all about redemption, that's the theme, and speaking to my sports psychologist, we've been working on all of those formulas to make sure I'm preparing the best way possible to get through."

Glave has tackled 2026 in sensational fashion after a devastating turn in 2024 saw him miss the Olympics

'2024 back injury left a void in my heart'

Thinking back, Glave lays bare the inner turmoil he experienced having battled through one serious back injury, won a European Championship bronze, but then suffered with his back again to miss an Olympics Games and virtually have to start his career all over again.

"It was very disappointing. After the 2024 European Championships, I could feel I was on that momentum, because the trials were two weeks afterwards.

"My first session back after I was crowned European bronze medallist, I picked up the injury and it was a very sad moment for me. My mind went to missing the Olympics, because everyone trains towards going to that.

"And to get a European bronze and have that momentum going into the Olympics, that's what everyone wants. To cut the journey short at that moment, it left a a void in my heart. I'm never going to get that moment back, that's gone."

Glave had to endure a career filled with serious injuries and setbacks

One man Glave has repeatedly singled out in the aftermath of his success has been coach Michael Afilaka, someone he describes as more than just his sprint coach: "a mentor, life coach, a man of wisdom and integrity."

Indeed, referencing his working relationship with Afilaka from serious injury to European champion proves very emotional for Glave.

"He's been doing this for over 20 years and is a private person, but God presented him to me on this journey. Having him beside me has been a life-changing decision.

"During those darkest times of my life, he's the only that is there. His belief, his dedication to continue to show up for me, I haven't really seen that before. I haven't really seen it in my life, in the way he has shown up.

"It's very emotional just talking about it every time, because he didn't have to do it, but because of his persona, he wants the best for me."

Glave spoke emotionally about the time and support coach Michael Afilaka has afforded him

'The next goal is world domination'

In terms of what's next, Glave is clear. He wants to challenge on a world level at the top of the sport.

"World domination is now the main goal, but just to have this stepping stone as European champion, I'm focusing on one step at a time.

"This season is like a stepping stone of what is to come for Romell Glave. I'm in a historic British team and now have the ultimate chance as well.

"So to be there and show up in a field of world-class athletes, that's the main objective now. To perform against those athletes, the world's best."