Olympic silver medallist Sharron Davies has criticised food and drink prices at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after a BBQ pork roll was found to cost £18.50. The swimmer, who won silver at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, responded to a menu shared online that also lists a bottle of water at £3.95 and a bratwurst hot dog at £15. Davies said events must be affordable, highlighting that ticket prices for the men's 100m final start at £26 and rise to £150 for premium seats.
Menu prices spark outrage
The menu, photographed inside Alexander Stadium, was posted on X by the account Save Station Street, Birmingham. The account wrote: "Sorry but this is disgusting and a sure fire way to turn people off a sport that gets only a couple of opportunities to show itself off each year. European Athletics Championships organisers in Birmingham need to be called out for this price gouging." Davies directly replied to the post, calling the prices "a real shame."
The traditional pork roll, a staple of British cuisine, is priced at £17.50, while the BBQ pork roll costs £18.50. A bottle of water is nearly £4, and a bratwurst hot dog is £15. These prices have been described as "disgusting" by the social media account, which has sparked a wider debate about the affordability of sporting events.
Ticket prices under fire
Davies also criticised ticket prices for the championships. Evening session tickets for adults range from £26 to £110, while child tickets are priced from £13 to £30, depending on the category. For the men's 100m final tonight, tickets are still available in all categories, with category E starting at £26 and category A costing £150 for the evening session.
In her response, Davies said: "This along with ticket prices is a real shame. 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." Her comments highlight the tension between hosting major events and ensuring they are accessible to the public.
Organisers yet to comment
The European Athletics Championships and Alexander Stadium have been approached for comment but have not yet responded. The event, which is one of the biggest athletics competitions in Europe, has drawn attention not only for the sporting action but also for the cost of attending.
As the championships continue, the debate over pricing is likely to persist, with many calling for organisers to reconsider their strategy. The final outcome remains to be seen, but the criticism from a prominent Olympian adds weight to concerns about the financial barriers to enjoying live sport.
