Lemaitre is fastest in Europe
Source: Agencies |
July 30, 2010, Friday
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CHRISTOPHE Lemaitre of France announced his entrance on the international stage by winning the men's 100-meter final at the European Championships in Barcelona on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Lemaitre stumbled out of the blocks before recovering his stride to surge past the field and win his first major title in a time of 10.11 seconds. He arrived with big expectations after running 9.98 to record Europe's fastest time this season, and he may win other golds as he is the favorite in the 200 and will lead a strong French 4x100 relay.
"Being European champion is a big step," Lemaitre said. "I still have the 200 - we're not finished yet."
Lemaitre set national records in the 100 and 200 earlier this month. He was the 200 champion at the junior worlds and 100 champion at the junior Europeans.
"Being European champion is more intense than going under 10 seconds. Titles are more important than times," Lemaitre said. "Finishing ahead of such racers as Dwain Chambers and Francis Obikwelu is something. This is worth more than a 9.98."
While Lemaitre celebrated his victory, the next four sprinters waited as the medal places were decided by a photo finish after they all crossed in 10.18. In the end, Britain's Mark-Lewis Francis took silver and Martial Mbandjock gave France a bronze for its third medal of the championships.
"I'm still in shock. I still can't believe it," said Francis, who has had operations on both Achilles. "Just being at the European Championships is unbelievable. This is beyond my expectations."
Obikwelu was fourth ahead of Chambers, whose gold medal from the 2002 Europeans was taken away due to a doping violation. "Don't get me wrong, it is disappointing (to lose by such a fine margin), but what can I do?" Chambers said. "I'll take it with a smile and be grateful for the opportunity to have been here."
The 20-year-old Lemaitre stumbled out of the blocks before recovering his stride to surge past the field and win his first major title in a time of 10.11 seconds. He arrived with big expectations after running 9.98 to record Europe's fastest time this season, and he may win other golds as he is the favorite in the 200 and will lead a strong French 4x100 relay.
"Being European champion is a big step," Lemaitre said. "I still have the 200 - we're not finished yet."
Lemaitre set national records in the 100 and 200 earlier this month. He was the 200 champion at the junior worlds and 100 champion at the junior Europeans.
"Being European champion is more intense than going under 10 seconds. Titles are more important than times," Lemaitre said. "Finishing ahead of such racers as Dwain Chambers and Francis Obikwelu is something. This is worth more than a 9.98."
While Lemaitre celebrated his victory, the next four sprinters waited as the medal places were decided by a photo finish after they all crossed in 10.18. In the end, Britain's Mark-Lewis Francis took silver and Martial Mbandjock gave France a bronze for its third medal of the championships.
"I'm still in shock. I still can't believe it," said Francis, who has had operations on both Achilles. "Just being at the European Championships is unbelievable. This is beyond my expectations."
Obikwelu was fourth ahead of Chambers, whose gold medal from the 2002 Europeans was taken away due to a doping violation. "Don't get me wrong, it is disappointing (to lose by such a fine margin), but what can I do?" Chambers said. "I'll take it with a smile and be grateful for the opportunity to have been here."
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