Until now, they have been held every four years, most recently in 2006 in Gothenburg. Barcelona is host in 2010.

After that, the championships will go biennial, but organisers have pledged the 2012 competition will not clash with the London Olympics or Euro 2012.

European Athletics director general Christian Milz admitted the new system has "many hurdles to clear".

One is that football's European governing body Uefa has yet to announce the dates of Euro 2012, which will take place in Poland and Ukraine.

Milz said: "The 2012 championships will finish over four weeks before the athletics programme begins at the Olympics and will, ideally, coincide with the US Olympic trials."

He added: "Of course, I can understand that some people are uncomfortable with changes.

"But we are listening to, and considering, all the opinions from our key stakeholders and acting on them to make this a win-win situation for everyone.

"The rationale behind the European Athletics Championships taking place every even year is obvious.