Helsinki will host the European Athletics Championships for a third time in 2012, which will also be the first occasion the event switches to a two-year cycle.

The changeover following next summer's championships in Barcelona will see the programme in Helsinki taking place from June 27 until July 1, while dropping marathon and walking events from the schedule because of the close proximity to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

That will raise questions about the stature of the championships and could see leading athletes choosing not to compete in Helsinki, with the Olympics taking place from July 27 to August 12.

A full programme will be held in the years the championships do not clash with the Olympics.

Speaking after the European Athletics council announced the decision in Barcelona on Monday, European Athletics president Hansjörg Wirz said: "We are very pleased to confirm that Helsinki will be the hosts of the European Athletics Championships in 2012. Athletics is a hugely popular sport in Finland and today we have been assured that we can look forward to a fantastic event."

Helsinki previously staged the event in 1971 and 1994, while the Finnish captial more recently played host to the World Championships in 2005.