Athletics competition at the European Games is due to begin tomorrow in Silesia ©Getty Images

European Athletics is set to provide 24-hour audio coverage from its events at the European Games here, using artificial intelligence (AI) to clone the voice of former athlete and commentator Hannah England.

England is set to replicate the content of the European Athletics live blog from the European Athletics Team Championships in Silesia, being held as part of the Kraków-Małopolska 2023 European Games.

This is to form part of a 24-hour live audio stream on YouTube, in what it is claimed is a first by any sports organisation on the continent.

European Athletics has worked with long-term partner Eurovision Sport, owned by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), on this initiative.

Chief executive of European Athletics Christian Milz claimed this would help to engage new audiences with its competition in Poland.

"Athletics is arguably the most inclusive sport in the world, but we want to expand it further, making the sport available to everyone and customised to their needs - however they wish to engage with it," he said.

"That’s why we’re constantly exploring how we can leverage advances in technology to achieve this and now, thanks to the wonders of AI and our partnership with Eurovision Sport, we have another innovative way to bring athletics to more people."

England, a women's 1500 metres silver medallist with Britain at the Daegu 2011 World Championships, is excited to be part of the initiative.

Through AI, former British athlete Hannah England is set to be the voice of 24-hour audio coverage from athletics events at the European Games ©Getty Images
Through AI, former British athlete Hannah England is set to be the voice of 24-hour audio coverage from athletics events at the European Games ©Getty Images

"I am excited to work with European Athletics and the EBU to explore using AI to bring even more content to our fans, speaking with one voice," she said.

"We are always looking for innovation in athletics and I believe this use of my cloned voice can enhance the fan experience by giving them another incentive to follow our sport."

Athletics events as part of the European Games are due to begin tomorrow, one day prior to the Opening Ceremony in Kraków.

Competition is due to begin for countries in divisions two and three from tomorrow until Thursday (June 22), followed by first division events from Friday (June 23) until Sunday (June 25).

Tomorrow's events are set to start for division three nations with the women's shot put, 400 metres and discus throw, followed by the men's triple jump and 400m.

The women's 5,000m, hammer throw and 100m and the men's pole vault, 800m, 3,000m steeplechase and 100m are also scheduled for tomorrow in division three.

The same programme of disciplines is then set to feature in division two.

Promotion opportunities are available for the top three-ranked nations in divisions two and three, with the bottom three in divisions one and two being relegated.