Russians walk to European triumph
Source: Agencies |
July 29, 2010, Thursday
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OLYMPIC and world champion Olga Kaniskina burst into tears after leading a Russian sweep of the medals in the women's 20-kilometer walk at the European championships in Barcelona yesterday.
Kaniskina led compatriot Anisya Kirdyapkina by 10 seconds at the halfway mark and continued to pull away from the field to win in a time of one hour, 27 minutes and 44 seconds.
Kirdyapkina, fastest woman in the world this year, was a distant second, one minute and 11 seconds behind. Vera Sokolova was third.
"It feels fantastic to have won the race walk here in Barcelona. I'm also very happy for the girls," said Kaniskina, who broke down in tears after crossing the line. "We trained together very hard and now all climbed the podium."
Spanish hopeful Maria Vasco, Olympic bronze medalist in 2000, was fifth at 10 km but later pulled up limping and clutching her right leg.
Back in the Olympic stadium, there was also disappointment for top-ranked European sprinter Alena Neumiarzhytskaya, who went out of the women's 100 meters in the first round after only managing fifth place in her heat in 11.63.
Her Belarus teammate, 2004 Olympic champion, Yuliya Nesterenko soon followed her out of the competition finishing seventh in her heat in 11.58.
France's European record holder Christine Arron, now 36, took third in that race to go through to today's semifinals behind fastest qualifier Verena Sailer of Germany, who won in 11.27.
Norway's European junior silver medalist Folake Akinyemi's campaign ended early when the 20-year-old pulled up in her heat and fell on the track in distress. She was carried off on a stretcher.
Ukraine's Oleksiy Kasyanov got his decathlon title bid off to a flying start and led the competition by 66 points after three events.
Kasyanov, one of the favorites to succeed injured Czech world record holder Roman Sebrle as European champion, started with a season's best in the 100 meters of 10.60 for 952 points and the early lead. He then produced the best long jump in the 16-man field of 7.88 meters but faltered slightly in the morning's last event, with a shot put of 14.27, almost 1.5 meters down on his personal best.
Lithuania's Darius Draudvila is second overall after three events on 2661 points and Estonia's European indoor heptathlon champion Mikk Pahapill third another 78 behind.
Spain's world steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez said she was feeling below-par after finishing fourth in her heat to qualify for the final.
Fervently cheered by children wearing colored T-shirts, which gave the near-empty arena on the Montjuic hill some much-needed atmosphere, Dominguez pulled away off the last barrier to take the final qualifying spot after rival Sophie Duarte stumbled.
"I didn't have to force the pace because I was lucky that at the end the French girl stumbled but I hope to recuperate in time for Friday," said Dominguez, wearing pink running shoes to match her trademark headband.
Former world record holder Svetlana Feofanova needed one jump to qualify for tomorrow's women's pole vault final clearing 4.40.
The 30-year-old, European champion in 2002, is a favorite for the title in the absence of Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva, who is skipping the outdoor season.
Kaniskina led compatriot Anisya Kirdyapkina by 10 seconds at the halfway mark and continued to pull away from the field to win in a time of one hour, 27 minutes and 44 seconds.
Kirdyapkina, fastest woman in the world this year, was a distant second, one minute and 11 seconds behind. Vera Sokolova was third.
"It feels fantastic to have won the race walk here in Barcelona. I'm also very happy for the girls," said Kaniskina, who broke down in tears after crossing the line. "We trained together very hard and now all climbed the podium."
Spanish hopeful Maria Vasco, Olympic bronze medalist in 2000, was fifth at 10 km but later pulled up limping and clutching her right leg.
Back in the Olympic stadium, there was also disappointment for top-ranked European sprinter Alena Neumiarzhytskaya, who went out of the women's 100 meters in the first round after only managing fifth place in her heat in 11.63.
Her Belarus teammate, 2004 Olympic champion, Yuliya Nesterenko soon followed her out of the competition finishing seventh in her heat in 11.58.
France's European record holder Christine Arron, now 36, took third in that race to go through to today's semifinals behind fastest qualifier Verena Sailer of Germany, who won in 11.27.
Norway's European junior silver medalist Folake Akinyemi's campaign ended early when the 20-year-old pulled up in her heat and fell on the track in distress. She was carried off on a stretcher.
Ukraine's Oleksiy Kasyanov got his decathlon title bid off to a flying start and led the competition by 66 points after three events.
Kasyanov, one of the favorites to succeed injured Czech world record holder Roman Sebrle as European champion, started with a season's best in the 100 meters of 10.60 for 952 points and the early lead. He then produced the best long jump in the 16-man field of 7.88 meters but faltered slightly in the morning's last event, with a shot put of 14.27, almost 1.5 meters down on his personal best.
Lithuania's Darius Draudvila is second overall after three events on 2661 points and Estonia's European indoor heptathlon champion Mikk Pahapill third another 78 behind.
Spain's world steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez said she was feeling below-par after finishing fourth in her heat to qualify for the final.
Fervently cheered by children wearing colored T-shirts, which gave the near-empty arena on the Montjuic hill some much-needed atmosphere, Dominguez pulled away off the last barrier to take the final qualifying spot after rival Sophie Duarte stumbled.
"I didn't have to force the pace because I was lucky that at the end the French girl stumbled but I hope to recuperate in time for Friday," said Dominguez, wearing pink running shoes to match her trademark headband.
Former world record holder Svetlana Feofanova needed one jump to qualify for tomorrow's women's pole vault final clearing 4.40.
The 30-year-old, European champion in 2002, is a favorite for the title in the absence of Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva, who is skipping the outdoor season.
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