Nick Griggs of Ireland holds up a shoe after losing one during the men's 5000m final during day one of the European Athletics Championships 2026 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Tyrone’s Nick Griggs fought hard for an eighth placed finish in the 5000m final, despite losing a shoe along the way. “I was in the stumble and someone clipped my shoe from the back and it came off. “Eighth with one shoe on is not too bad, but it’s frustrating because I’m thinking about what I could have done if I was ready to go with two or three laps remaining rather than that happening. “No one is going to be happy coming eighth and losing a shoe, but it’s good progress and I know what I can do.”