X-Factor runner-up pens song for 2024 European Athletics Championships

By Mohamed Hamza

X-Factor runner-up Grace Davies has released 'Illuminate' as the official track for the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome next month.

The Lancashire songstress finished second on X Factor in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength as an independent artist since, with her music streamed millions of times and reaching an Official Charts Top 100 position.

And this June, her song 'Illuminate' is set to soundtrack the championships in the Italian capital.

She said: “I was so flattered to have been approached to provide the official song for the European Athletics Championships, not only as an artist but also as a writer.

“There is a huge amount of trust there and it is a real privilege to be granted such a massive opportunity.

“I hope we have made something that is going to inspire the thousands of athletes competing and narrate their experience through the good and the bad - something I can relate to.

“I have a busy year of releases ahead, and this is a spectacular way to kick things off.

“I feel very lucky and can’t wait to hear this song soundtrack such an inspiring event across Europe and beyond.”

The 2024 European Athletics Championships will take place in the Italian capital between 7-12 June, with the Eternal City welcoming the best and brightest in European athletics.

That will include current male and female European Athlete of the Year and reigning world champions Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Femke Bol, from Norway and the Netherlands respectively.

Written by Davies, Ben Lythe and Paul Whalley, and produced by Davies and Whalley, 'Illuminate' is set to provide perfect inspiration for the athletes descending on Rome, thanks to its mesmeric piano, rhythmic drumming and euphoric chorus.

Heptathlete Holly Mills, who will compete in the Italian capital for Great Britain was there to view the final mastering of the track at the iconic Abbey Road Studios and she was effusive in her praise.

She confessed: “The song really blew my mind. Grace’s voice is incredible, and it has so much energy behind it.

“It is going straight on my running playlist.”

Buy tickets now for the Rome 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium: https://roma2024.vivaticket.it/index.php.