The heart of Thessaloniki is transforming into an open-air athletics stadium for the 2nd International Street Pole Vault Meeting, “Fly in SKG Sky.” This high-profile street event brings world-class track and field action out of traditional stadiums and straight to the public, blending elite sports with the city’s rich urban history.
📍 Location
The event takes place at one of Thessaloniki’s most iconic historic landmarks:
- The Arch of Galerius (Kamara), specifically spanning the area from the Church of Panagia Dexia to the monument itself on Egnatia Street.
- An elevated runways/run-up track (tartan) and a massive landing mat have been installed in the middle of the pedestrian zone to accommodate the athletes.
🏃♂️ Featured Athletes
Approximately 40 pole vaulters from eight different countries will compete to secure valuable points for the World Rankings and European Championship qualification.
- The Headliner: Rio 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist and Greek champion Katerina Stefanidi is the star attraction of the event.
- Greek Standouts: Ariadni Adamopoulou (holding a strong seasonal best of 4.52m), the rising 20-year-old talent Evina Panagiotou, Anastasia Boumpoulidi, Anastasia Retsa, and Ariadni Myrtsiou.
- The competition will also feature top-tier international male and female athletes from countries such as Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, and the USA.
📅 Event Schedule
The main competitions are scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026. Admission is free for the public.
| Time (EEST) | Event |
| 11:00 | Women’s B Group Competition |
| 16:00 | Men’s B Group Competition |
| 18:15 | Women’s A Group Competition (Featuring Katerina Stefanidi) |
| 20:30 | Men’s A Group Competition |
Event Note: Organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the athletic club AK Promitheas, the meeting is officially sanctioned under the World Athletics Calendar (Challenger category) and SEGAS, offering a spectacular visual backdrop of the historic Arch as athletes literally “fly into the SKG sky.”