Athletics-Heptathlon battle cut short at Europeans
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-08 14:04
FIRST GOLD
Germany's Ralf Bartels had the honour of becoming the first European champion
of 2006, taking victory in the shot put with his final effort of 21.13 metres.
Former world champion Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus had led for much of the
competition but had to settle for silver by two centimetres. Denmark's Joachim
Olsen was third.
The day's other gold medal went to Russia's Inga Abitova, who smashed her
personal best by more than a minute to win the women's 10,000 metres in 30
minutes and 31.87 seconds.
Norway's Susanne Wigene prevented a Russian sweep in second ahead of Lidiya
Grigoryeva and Galina Bogomolova.
Having done most of the work Kenyan-born Lornah Kiplagat, now of the
Netherlands, was overtaken on the final lap by Abitova and finished fifth.
Turkey's pre-race favourite Elvan Abeylegesse, who has the fastest time in
the world this year, did not finish the race.
Three-times Olympic and world champion Jan Zelezny has the chance to claim
the one gold medal missing from his cabinet after qualifying for Wednesday's
javelin final, although the 40-year-old Czech will be happy with any medal.
"I feel like I am in pretty good shape for my age but nothing is perfect
anymore so any medal I can win would be a success," said Zelezny, who plans to
retire after the championships.
Russian world record holder Tatyana Lysenko provided a championship best on
the opening morning of competition when she threw 73.23 metres to top qualifying
in the hammer competition.
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