The European Athletics Indoor Championships were held for the first time in 1970, replacing the European Indoor Games which had been held since 1966. Run by the European Athletic Association, the championships took place annually in different cities all over Europe until 1990, when it was changed to a biennial event. After the 2002 edition, it lasted 3 years until the Championships was held again. This was done in order to synchronize the event with the other major championships of international athletics.