A total of 576 athletes are due to compete in the event at the X-Bionic Sphere, the biggest ever since the Championships were launched at Alnwick in Britain in 1994.

"Great Britain, Spain and France, among others have all come with teams of 40 runners or more and it’s a big sign that cross country is still very important in Europe," said European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen.

“I can say honestly that I have never been in such a fantastic venue as this for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. 

"We had a great time in Chia 12 months ago - and Slovakia will not be able to compete with the Italian weather - but it’s great having everything under one roof.

"We have the stars here and the coming stars. 

"This will be a real Cross Country Championships. 

"This will also set the bar very high for future organisers so good luck to Tilburg in 2018."

For the first time the Championships will include a mixed relay. 

The event is due to contested between 11 nations, with teams made up of two men and two women.

"It’s the start of a new era, with the start of the mixed relays," said Hansen. 

"We have learned from ski, we have learned from biathlon that it’s a great event and I’m very proud that we are doing it here in Šamorín."

Turkish athletes won both the senior men’s and women’s individual titles in Chia last year.

Both Aras Kaya and Yasemin Can are due to defend their titles in Šamorín.

They are controversial champions, however, are both were born in Kenya. 

Kaya was the third Kenyan-born runner representing Turkey to win the title at the European Cross Country Championships.

Critics claim this is against the spirit of event launched to ensure European runners had an competitive competition to look forward to in the face of African athletes dominating the sport at the global level. 

Turkey's team in the men's event this year is set to feature four runners originally from Kenya.