Russian athletes retain European team championship crown
STOCKHOLM: Russian athletes continued their dominance in the European athletics as they retained the European Team Championship title in Stockholm here Sunday.
Russian athletes. Courtesy: Getty Images
Russians dominated for the second straight day at the Championships and capitalized further on the overnight lead to successfully defend their title which they had won in Bergen, Norway last year.
Germany clinched the second position while Ukraine were third, just ahead of the Britain with one event yet to go.
Emma Green. Courtesy: Getty Images
The second day started with Tatanya Dektyareva winning the 100 metres hurdles for Russia. The lead was further augmented by Darya Klishina who clinched goal in the long jump after jumping only one centimeter higher than the local favorite Kluft.
Women's 4x400m Relay. Courtesy: Getty Images
It was not only Russians in the limelight on Sunday as the French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre recorded his second championship record in as many days when he won the men’s 200 metres in 20.28 time.
Charlene Thomas. Courtesy: Getty Images
Talking to Sweden’s SVT, Lemaitre said, “It’s only my second 200 of the season, so I’m happy with the time”.
Rains continued to hamper sporting activities across the Europe and Stockholm was no exception as athletes found it tough to showcase their best amid heavy rain and unlikely cold temperatures. Due to the stiff weather conditions, the games organizers had to shift the men’s pole vault to an indoor venue.
European Team Championships. Courtesy: Reuters
The European Team Championship consists of 40 events and after completion of 39 events, Russia have an unassailable lead with 375 points while Germany, Ukraine and Britain all had the chance to claim the second position.
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