There are some visitors to Zico’s who make a lasting impression — and Sunday’s visit was certainly one of them.
We were delighted to welcome Paul McGrath, fresh from the biggest victory of his career, along with his dad James.
Just days earlier, Paul had been crowned European Champion after winning the men’s half-marathon race walk at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
And he brought the gold medal with him.
European gold on the streets of Birmingham
Paul produced a superb performance on 15 August, winning the inaugural European Championships men’s half-marathon race walk in 1:23:23.
He finished 13 seconds ahead of Italy’s Francesco Fortunato, with Italy’s Andrea Cosi taking bronze. The result was also a personal best for Paul.
This was a particularly significant victory because the half-marathon race walk was being introduced as a new championship distance in 2026 — making Paul the first European champion over the distance.
The victory adds to an already impressive international record. Paul won European silver in the 20km race walk in Rome in 2024 and took World Championship bronze in Tokyo in 2025.
From Birmingham to Zico’s
After such a huge achievement, we were delighted that Paul and James took the time to pop into Zico’s.
Having watched Paul’s remarkable success unfold, it was a real privilege to have the actual European Championship gold medal standing in the shop.
Naturally, we had to get a photograph.
And what makes the visit particularly special for us is that Zico’s has always been about more than simply selling clothes.
Football, sport, music, people and stories are at the heart of what we are trying to build.
Having a European champion walk through the door with his medal is exactly the sort of story that makes the shop special.
Paul’s achievement is also particularly interesting from a Glasgow perspective, given his Scottish and Irish family connections. His father James was there to support him in Birmingham — and it was great to see them both at Zico’s afterwards.
From Celtic Park to Zico’s
Paul had also been in the spotlight at Celtic Park on Saturday, before coming along to see us the following day.
So from European Championship gold to Celtic Park — and then to Zico’s — it was quite a weekend.
We’re delighted to have captured the moment and to be able to share a little bit of Paul’s story with our customers and followers.
A huge congratulations to Paul on becoming European Champion.
And thank you to Paul and James for bringing that gold medal into Zico’s.
European Champion. Gold medal. Zico’s.
Not a bad Sunday afternoon.