Haydn Brotschi ’26CC Represents Switzerland at European Athletics Championships
8/11/2026 4:00:00 PM | Track and Field
Columbia’s 400-meter record holder capped a breakthrough season with his major-championship debut in Birmingham.
BIRMINGHAM, England — Columbia track and field record holder Haydn Brotschi '26CC represented Switzerland in the men's 400 meters at the 2026 European Athletics Championships on Monday at Alexander Stadium.
Brotschi clocked 46.89 seconds in the second of three first-round heats, finishing seventh in his heat. The 12 fastest competitors across the opening round advanced to Tuesday's semifinals, bringing Brotschi's competition to a close after his first appearance for Switzerland at a major senior championship.
The opportunity followed a breakthrough senior season at Columbia. On May 17, Brotschi won the men's 400-meter title at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships in a personal-best 45.20 seconds. The performance established a Columbia program record, ranked as the second-fastest 400-meter time in the history of the Ivy League outdoor championships and earned Brotschi First Team All-Ivy recognition.
His time also surpassed the 45.25 entry standard for the European Athletics Championships. According to Swiss Athletics, the performance placed Brotschi fourth on Switzerland's all-time men's 400-meter list.
A native of Chula Vista, California, Brotschi holds both American and Swiss citizenship. Because he had not previously represented the United States in international competition, he was cleared in June to compete internationally for Switzerland. He represents LV Langenthal within the Swiss club system.
Brotschi completed the final step in the selection process at the Swiss Championships in Zürich on July 26. Racing at Letzigrund Stadium, he placed second in 46.10 seconds to earn one of Switzerland's three men's 400-meter berths for Birmingham. He joined Swiss champion Lionel Spitz and third-place finisher Ricky Petrucciani on the championship team.
His European Championships appearance capped a decorated final season for the Lions. In addition to his outdoor Ivy League championship and program record, Brotschi earned Second Team All-Ivy honors in the indoor 400 meters and was recognized as Academic All-Ivy. He also advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA East First Round, where he placed 20th in 45.59 seconds.
Brotschi leaves Columbia as an Ivy League champion, an Academic All-Ivy honoree, a program record holder and an international championship competitor.
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