"We are very happy that we received the trust from European Athletics to organize this important walking event. We take it as a confirmation of the quality of the annual meeting and the successful year of the event in 2017," said Libor Varhaník, president of the Czech Athletic Federation, after hosting had been awarded in May two years ago.

In Poděbrady, this major walking competition took place four years ago under the original name of the European Cup and offered not only top races, but also a rich accompanying program. In addition to following competitions, visitors could, for example, contribute to partner foundations through exercising, try blind walking and, of course, learn the basics of racing walking techniques.

Race walking has been associated with the spa town in Central Bohemia since the beginnings of the modern athletic movement. Already in 1894, finish of the Prague club of AC Královské Vinohrady championships was there. Since 1929, the race from Prague to Poděbrady took place regularly. When walking races moved to circuits in the 1990s, one was established in the local spa park. The track and the whole organization are confirmed every year at an prestigious international meeting (6th best in the world in 2020), also held as the national championship of the Czech Republic.

In 1997, the World Cup took place in Poděbrady. A European version of this competition followed four years ago. The success of both contributed to the fact that the latter one will take place here on 16 May 2021, premiered under the new name of European Race Walking Team Championships. Biannual competition is also assigned to Poděbrady in the following odd years 2023 and 2025.