History has been made as the first ever European Championships kicked off in Glasgow.

A new era of sport has been ushered in as qualifying rounds take place in Track Cycling, at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, at the SSE Hydro, and Rowing at Strathclyde Country Park.

The next 11 days will see world class athletes in aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, golf, rowing and triathlon competing in Glasgow and Scotland, while Berlin hosts the Athletics.

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More than 114,500 tickets have been sold and with some sessions full, or with just a few tickets remaining, ticket buyers are being urged to hurry to secure the chance to see their favourite Olympic and Commonwealth stars crowned European champions.

Over the next few days, Glasgow will create history by becoming the first city to simultaneously host the European Cycling Championships in four different disciplines while Gleneagles will host a groundbreaking golf competition; with men and women playing together for the first time and competing for equal prize money.

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The event also marks the first time an event on this scale has been delivered using hotel accommodation for competitors, rather than the creation of an athletes’ village.

More unusually, it is also the first known time a swimming event will take place on a tennis court – with a 330,000 gallon temporary pool installed at Scotstoun Sports Campus, which hosts the synchronised swimming events.

Championships Director Colin Hartley said: “This is the biggest event in the UK since Glasgow hosted the best ever Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“But it’s not just big, it’s truly innovative. By combining these seven sports we elevate the European champions we’ll see crowned in the next few days onto an even higher platform.

“With bigger crowds, a bigger TV audience and more opportunities for people to see their Olympic and Commonwealth heroes, today is the beginning of a new era for sport in Europe.

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Jane Allen, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics added: “The 2015 World Championships were declared by FIG as the best ever and raised the bar for the sport so we’re really excited to be back in Glasgow.

“It’s fantastic that the same innovative venue layout and stunning presentation is being used again for the 2018 European Championships and I am sure it is going to be a fabulous week here both for our sport and for the British team.”

Beth Tweddle Britain’s greatest ever female gymnast commented: “It is fantastic to see another world-class event come back to Glasgow which has such a great track record for hosting big events.

"The World Championships in 2015 were incredible and the fans here in Glasgow are going to be in for another treat with an amazing action packed eight days of gymnastics at The SSE Hydro.”