01/07/2012 Athletics: European Championships

Afternoon and welcome to coverage of the European Athletics champ

ship from Helsinki. Normally we have to wait four years, but a

change of format means it is just two years since Barcelona and that

was some Championship for the British team. Mo Farah, fit,

healthy, confident. Mo Farah takes the gold for Britain for the first

time and Thomson makes it a one-two. Mark Lewis-Francis has been been

given the silver. What a story that is. Third place and bronze medals,

representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It's huge!

Massive! This day is about Phillips Idowu and Britain has two gold

medals. Christian Malcolm is going for gold! My goodness! And Lemaitre

has been given it. And he is the European champion. The gold medal

is Andy Turner. The men's 400 metre final. He has taken the silver.

Jenny Meadows gets the bronze. It is going to be a fight to the line.

He is digging deep. Rivers trying to get there, Lewandowski gets it.

Green is taking the last hurdle. Green gets the gold, wam the silver.

One-two for Great Britain, one-two for Wales. This is brave and fast,

Jessica Ennis heading for home. Jessica Ennis heading for Spanish

gold. Perry shake drayton is hunting a silver for Britain. Can

she kick for home? She is coming strong again. And Germany get

It's Russia, Belgium, Britain, Germany. Here comes Rooney. Can he

get there? Russia take gold, Britain silver. Mo Farah kicking

again from the front. Look at this from Mo Farah, he is destroying

them in the home straight. It is going to be double gold and the

double European champion, Mo Farah, does it again. Double gold for Mo

Farah and the most successful European Championships for the

British team. Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson were there. It was a

great championships? Yes we look back at those pictures, it makes

you smile. What a great team that was. You can see there was a lot of

support and of course, we had massive anticipation for what can

happen this year. We will leave the elephant in the room until the end

about we talk about whether it is a good idea to have the European

Championships every two years. It is a very different approach now?

Yes we talked how successful those championships were. These were not

about the medals, but giving the opportunity to the British athletes

on the cusp. Just looking for selection for London. That needed

that opportunity to compete again. You know it was about making sure

the selectors had the opportunity to really give them a final

opportunity to compete. Because it has been a tough year for the

athletes. Perhaps not the fireworks of Barcelona, but there is plenty

at stake and plenty to look forward to. Mo Farah was the king of Spain.

In el Helsinki he is just defending his 5,000 metre crown. Rhys

Williams fell at the Olympic trials and has to perform to gain

selection for London. He is in the 400 metre hurdles. Jo Pavey's

Olympic selection is assured after winning in Birmingham. Today she

runs over 10,000 metres. In the high jump, Robbie Grabarz has been

the revelation of 2012. He is the world No 2. And Lawrence Okoye will

hope to make an impression in the discuss final. We have had four

days of action. The foremated is a mixture of highlights and live

So plenty to look forward to there. Slebs dilemmas, in your event,

Colin, you have the interesting dilemma between Will Sharman and

Andy tusher. -- Turner. They have said to Will, you have a chance. So

go out there, perform well and let's see what happens. You must

remember wirl's been injured and coming back into form. This is a

good opportunity for him to show what status he is at. It is a tough

race for him and it is not easey. There are five or six guys who

could go under 13.4. So a big race. Our first live action, we can go to

Helsinki and the women's 1,500 Helsinki and the women's 1,500

metres. The athletes are already on the track. Better conditions than

they have offered in the past picked up a bronze in Istanbul.

That was Harrer you saw there. Mishchenko, the Ukrainian, always

good in a slower race. Gorbunova and the other Russian up there in

the rankings. But they haven't shown the form they showed in

Russia. There is the defending champion, Fernandez. Just gone

straight by her to introduce Khaleyeva. I wouldn't write

Fernandez off, but she hasn't been in great form this year. The two

Russians will be difficult to beat. The women's 1,500 metre final.

Charlene Thomas was Britain's only representative and ran poorly and

was disqualified for stepping on the inside of the track. Even the

disstance -- distance runners have had problems with the bend and I

think Charlene was probably happy to be disqualified. So no British

representative in this final. The early leader is Khaleyeva. Corinna

Harrer, who has developed into a good athlete, Germany have found

themselves a decent 1,500 metre runner. But is is not that quick is

it? No, one of the athletes you pin pointed was Cakir, who is back in

fifth place. Just out of shot. She could be a danger. World student

games champion last year. Has run 402. Just behind Mishchenko. Bulut

is the other Turk on the curve. But it is a steady pace and this could

be a kicker's race over the last 400 metres. Qualification was like

this and they have learned a lot about each other in the heats and

Harrer, who has been outkicked by Hannah England earlier. Harrer

looked good there. But she is not very quick in the home straight.

And Gorbunova and the other Russian will try to control this. Not

making their souper fast times tell. Muncan at the back. But they're

tightly bunched. Mishchenko has been back and forwards in the pack.

The defending champion, Fernandez, on the inside. But it start to pick

up as Cakir goes to the front. haven't talked about Fernandez too

much. She is back in sixth. You see the tall Stan yard -- Spaniard, she

has not shown great form, but the defending outdoor 1,500 metre

champion and the Spaniards generally excel in the middle

distance events. They haven't done much at these Championships, but

who knows what they can do by the time of the Olympics. Makestad

gathering for an attack. So 400 metres to go. Check ir-- Cakir on

the inside. It is the Turkish athlete, Cakir, who is attacking

hard down the back straight. There is a big gap and Bulut is the only

one trying to stay with her. The Russians fighting for what could be

the bronze. They're a long way behind the two Turkish athletes.

She kicks again and this is impressive running. Cakir may well

add to the world indoor bronze she took in March. Completely

destroying the field in this last 400 metres. It will be a Turkish

one-two. Mishchenko in the bronze position. But this is Turkey's

fourth gold and three have come in the middle and long distance. Bulut

is second, Mishchenko is third. A very impressive last lap. That is

why nobody could live with that. Goodness me. The Turkish athletes

are taking these championships by storm. They had a good day

yesterday, where they won a couple of golds and there is another one.

Cakir, the European champion. Mishchenko ran bravely, but she was

outclassed by a couple of Turkish Athletic laets. It was not a sprint

finish, but just a sustained last 400 metres and to be Frank

Fernandez just couldn't live with a mobile app! Asli Cakir-Alptekin,

look at the distance between her and everybody else. The long-

striding champion comes away. It was a very good last lap, 57

seconds. You can see she is absolutely delighted with that. The

Turkish have done incredibly well. They're just behind Britain in the

medal standings at the minute, five medals in total. Anna Mishchenko, a

big smile as she comes over the line. The Turkish team totally

dominant on this last afternoon of the European Championships in

Helsinki. Well, the women's hammer final is under way. This is the

first round, and that is the longest throw we have seen. Sophie

Hitchen throws in this rounds after Anita Wlodarczyk. Anita Wlodarczyk,

who has been slightly overshadowed by the world record holder of late,

that she was eliminated from this competition in the opening rounds.

Sophie Hitchen came through in the last round of qualification. Anita

Wlodarczyk takes a big lead, though. The Russians traditionally are very

good. And she doesn't really use her legs are a great deal. But that

again is over 70 metres. Only one other person has been over 70

metres, Martina Hrasnova. But has now been achieved by three athletes

now. Anita Wlodarczyk has got a big, big lead. You wonder if that is an

unassailable advantage. There are cheers all round the stadium at the

moment for the Turkish athletes doing their lap of honour, along

with Anna Mishchenko. Asli Cakir- Alptekin has a world indoors

bronze-medal, and now she is the outdoor European 1500 metre

champion. I could build up for the far for the Turkish team. We will

begin a review of the last four days by going back to day one, it

was Mo Farah in the 5000 metres where he was defending his crown.

Two laps to go. Mo Farah knows what he is going to do in this race, and

he has stuck to it so far. So, no surprises for Mo Farah so far. This

speed is really beginning to wind up. They'd been told German, who

has a strong finish as well, is still there. Mo Farah is gradually

turning the screw. The two Spaniards are not able to live with

this. The Frenchman looks fairly comfortable in 4th place. They take

the bell. Mo Farah is still leading, controlling from the front. This

lap will be quicker. This is what he is good that. He is deceptively

quick when he gets those legs 200 metres to go! He won the title

two years ago in Barcelona, he was a double winner. He attacks the

last 110 metres. He turns on the burners! It will be another gold

medal for the man from Great Britain. What a start to his season

in terms of championships! He takes the gold, retained his title. 53.69

was the last lap. He just wind it up and wind it up, as he does. It

is a very good rehearsal indeed. If the result could be the same in the

5000 metres or the 10,000 metres at the Olympics, we would all be very

happy indeed. No problems at all today for Mo Farah. Let's hope that

he can take confidence from that. Let's hope that his coach will be

delighted. There is the champion. Could you imagine a stadium full of

80,000 people in London faced with the same situation, with Mo Farah

leading with one lap to go in the Olympic final? Really impressive

from Mo Farah, great acceleration. He is so smooth when he is moving

at speed. It is just deceptive. People think they have got him, but

you just can't get on terms with him. He has got so much speed.

know the finishing speed that he will have to cope with in the

Olympic Games. Some of the Africans are just as quick. That is a real

confidence boost at just the right time for Mo Farah. So, a gold medal

in his first major championship. Everything went to plan. It was

nice to come out here and win, you know? I can remember in Gothenburg

when I came so close and have to wait for years. What was that

thinking about coming here? Mainly to defend my title,, during get a

Steve Cram has come down from the third floor of the building, not

Helsinki! What did Mo Farah gain from running here? I am not

entirely sure. I think you wanted to retain his title more than

anything else. I would have loved to have seen him running in the

1500 metres. That would have been a good test. BUT his speed. It was

impressive enough I do like it's sometimes when people are prepared

to come to the championship and say this mean something to me, it is my

title and I don't want anybody to take it away. He hasn't had a

particularly difficult 10 days or so. He had a fairly comfortable

5000 metres. Fingers crossed, everything goes right for the

Olympics. I think he is in a good place. Everybody loves Mo Farah,

but suddenly he was that bad day because he did his signature move

down the home straight, and all this sudden he was the bad guy.

think he has apologised everybody before. You have to be very selfish

about your preparations. I don't think there was any one who was

kept it at the final because of his place. I think it helped Rosemarie,

because he didn't complicate things for the final on the day. You have

to be selfish. If you want to win an Olympic gold medal you put your

requirements first before everybody else. Let's put it behind us and

look forward to the Olympics. American trials are going on at the

same time as this. One athlete who performed very well, who looks like

he will be a real challenger is Mo Farah's training partner.

Farrell be delighted with Galen's performance. -- Mo Farah. I think

Mo Farah will have text did Geelan to say well done, mate. You trained

for a long time with the Olympic champion in 1992. He was one of

your major competitors, but he was your training partner. There is an

advantage because you know where you major rival is at, and due know

their strengths and weaknesses. You know if you are not right on it at

that particular moment in time, you're training partner will be

ahead of you. I suffered from that at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mo Farah

will have to be right on his game in the Olympic Games.

interesting dynamic between those two, is Guy Lacombe beats Mo Farah

in training a lot. I have watched them doing these heavy warm gowns

that the do and Mo Farah is hanging on. Keel and does not have the

speed at the end. If he starts to develop that, then he will become a

genuine contender. Like to think Geelan, I think he is a contender.

It must change the dynamic when you go to training camps together.

have been really good for each other. The two of them really to

work off each other, almost complement each other. When you get

in a race, that goes out of the window. This special relationship!

It will be up to the Kenyans and Ethiopians to disturb his finish on

in some respect. That won't change. Mo Farah as the target on his back,

that means that targets will focus on him, which may leave Geelan more

free to go. Let's catch up with the sixth. It is a real opportunity for

Julia Bleasdale to make a name for herself. Bleasdale of Britain

perhaps heading for a medal. This could be a real feather in her cap

and possibly the confirmation of Olympic selection as well. She

couldn't hang on to Jo Pavey at the Championships. But now there is

only five women looking as though they have an opportunity. Julia

Bleasdale in a perfect position. There is a gap appearing. These

could be the three medals here. The Russian could be dangerous.

Bleasdale looks behind and thinks maybe I can't hang on to Moreira

and Moreira starts to open up a gap. But there is certain Laylannamedal

here for Julia. Moreira coming into the home straight. The legs are

getting tired. They have got to keep the arms and knees pumping.

Julia blaes dale is fighting. Moreira could be in danger and

Kovalenko may get there. The Russian takes the gold. Moreira,

well a photo finish for second and third and Julia Bleasdale, well it

lacked as though the medal was there for the taking, just ran out

of steam in the home straight and the fast finishing Kovalenko might

have snatched the silver. In the distance it is sad to see Helen

Clitheroe coming in. She has been just a stalwart of British

athletics. There is the champion, Golovkina, as Helen Clitheroe

crosses the line. Well what a final lap. It looked as though Julia

Bleasdale was going to take the lead with 200 metres left.

Challenging with Moreira, but what a last lap by the Russian. And that

will be confirmed as a huge lifetime best for Julia Bleasdale.

The two Russians there, Golovkina and Golovkina came through with the

best time. A good race, Golovkina with a big finish. Kovalenko left

it so late and snatched the silver from Moreira. A personal best for

Julia Bleasdale. Helen Clitheroe, well that is a season's best but it

won't be good enough and her Olympic dreams have gone with that.

After the trials, I was disappointed and thought that shows

what sort of shape I'm in. But I had this opportunity and I have

worked hard the get that run in and I felt I diserved it to myself to

give it one last try. It is not to be, but you know, I have done

everything in my pourer to try and get back on the track and race this

summer. So it is a bit too soon. gave it my best. I came here to be

competitive and to get some more race practice. It was a scrappy

race, a lot of pushing and barging and the bends made it difficult. So

I got spiked early on. But I gave it my all. Just got to keep going

and work on that final few laps. I know I can take it right to the end.

know I can take it right to the end. But not this time. Julia Bleasdale

has had quite a season. Yes she is one for woman the Olympic year has

been a great incentive. She will be in the team at 10,000 metres. It

may be the 10,000 is on the first night and we will see Jo Pavey

running the 10,000 today. Both could end up doubling up. But Julia

Bleasdale 18 months ago may not have expected this. But I felt

sorry for her there. Denise a wor word on Helen Clitheroe. She would

have loved to have finished her career in London. Yes she has had

such a great career and she has worked hard. But it was not meant

to be. When you have had injuries and missed a body of work, it just

doesn't allow you to run the way you would like to. But she has been

a great ambassador for the sport and a great inspiration. Now the

women's 800 metres, perhaps one of our strongest events. Olympic

selection is not straight forward. Jenny Meadows has been injured. She

had to pull out and sheics plained -- she explained her decision.

have had an ongoing injury. But I have worked very hard to put myself

in this position. To get on the plane to come here to Helsinki with,

with what I thought was a genuine medal shot. I didn't come here just

to prove my fitness. I thought I could win. But the nature of my

injury is just during the flight here it swelled up a lot. I haven't

been able to run very much since I have got here pain-free. I haven't

had the range in the Achilles and it needs a couple of days to calm

down before I can resume training and I have just not got a couple of

days until the 800 metres start. miss the Olympics in your own

country would be doubly devastating. Yes that is why I have worked hard.

I was always against the time scale and I have killed myself to get

myself in the best shape. I knew I couldn't put spikes on to the last

minute and all that hard work has been to compete in London. That has

been the goal. Not just to compete in some races this year and I have

got myself in that shape and I want to wear that British vest in the

home Olympics. It is a fairy tale. So not to be there, it would mean

this last six months has been in vain. So I have worked hard and I'm

confident I can be in the Olympic stadium and put in a good

performance. But yes, it is the discretion of the selectors now.

Yes we can catch up with that final now. Linsey Sharpe ran and Gemma

now. Linsey Sharpe ran and Gemma But is Linsey needs the A standard.

This is our last chance. Mar Shay have a -- Maracheva, a new name,

but the Russians have so many to dangerous. Gemma Simpson made this

final two years ago and finished fifth on that occasion. Another one

still with Olympic aspirations and need to run the time. She does have

the A standard from last year. For the British selectors after this

race it will be between the other two. Jny Meadows aggravated an

injury problem and caused her not to be able to compete. Linsey

Sharpe and Gemma Simpson, a chance to state their case in this 800

metre final. Two laps of the track as ever. Will anybody want to take

this on? The British athletes want it to be quick. The Russians can

run fast but may not want to lead it. Maracheva is leading. It is not

very quick. Maracheva and the Belarus athlete coming through. It

is about 28.5, so not that slow. Linsey Sharpe drifting to the back.

Maracheva leads for Russia. The Belarusian in second. The two

British athletes, Simpson moving through into fourth. They hit the

bell with Linsey Sharp at the back. So what damage now can Gemma

Simpson create? That is faster than Gemma's gone through this year and

she is in a good position. Will she have the strength? Linsey Sharp has

stayed off the pace. She will finish fast, but a long way from

the action for the medals. Maracheva leading the way. The

other Russian will be a huge danger. There is a big gap to fourth. Two

Russians, one from Belarus and look at Arzhakova. Now having to come

and attack on the outside. Maracheva still leading, Arzhakova

looking dangerous. She has the strength to take the gold. Linsey

Sharp is finishing quickly in fourth. She might yet get close to

a medal. But the Russian wins and Linsey Sharp is finishing quickly

and takes the silver. She takes the silver with a storming run in the

home straight. I don't think, I don't think it is going to be quick

enough to send her to the Olympics. But the consolation will be that

Arzhakova takes the race. But Sharp waited and waited. I'm not sure she

could keep up to be fair. But look at the smile on her face. A silver

medal for Linsey Sharp. Her coach will be delighted. And the time

will be a personal best for Linsey. But it will not be quick enough to

guarantee selection. What a week she's had. Yes superb, she has done

nothing wrong so far. And it will join the silver her dad won way

back in the 200 metres. Arzhakova tyking it right and looking

stronger as the race went on. Watch Linsey Sharp come from way back.

Gaining with every stride and a little trip there. And that meant

that Linsey Sharp could come through. The Belarusian was out on

her legs. A great run from the champion. Arzhakova the new

champion and a silver for Great Britain. The gold goes to Russia,

Arzhakova, a big personal best and a brilliant silver for Linsey Sharp

and Maracheva hanging on for the bronze. So close and yet so far.

Jemma Simpson had a great go in seventh. A couple of week back I

was putting pressure on myself and said to myself, it is not going to

happen if I keep thinking like this. So forget about it andlike -- and

look forward to this. I came into this thinking I want to make the

final, which I did. I felt good yesterday and everyone was saying

you have a chance. But I don't know if I believed it until the last 80

if I believed it until the last 80 metres! That was off tape that race.

With 150 to go, I'm thinking that can't be right. Linsey's a very

good finisher and she has a tend si to finish strongly. That is the

first time she has gone to a major championships. One thing she will

learn, she has done well, is that in that sort of race and let's be

fair, some of the events aren't as strong as they could be, but there

was some good athletes there. She sat off it but she is sitting off

it not by choice, but at the moment she strugglings -- struggles to go

with the hard pace. With that pace attend she could do very well. The

problem for her now is she is getting quick but not, has not been

getting quick quickly enough to The selectors sit on Monday morning.

Summarised the position. Because Lynsey Sharp won the trials, and

Jemma Simpson. Neither of them had the standard for this year.

Genitals from last year, so Jemma Simpson can be selected, Emma

Jackson. Emma has run at this year. Sir so has Marilyn. And we have

Jenny, he has Scots pedigree at big championships. We have for people

who could be selected. We have one athletes who has form, but is

running to a lesser standard. To pick Lynsey Sharp, they would have

to ignore or for athletes to have met the standard. Denise, you will

be sitting in that selection meeting. It is really tough.

Marilyn, out of those for girls is the fastest runner this year.

will be hards to selector after these trials? Yeah so, because we

have seen Marilyn mess up and not run tactically well in

championships. She is still the fastest girl. Can Jenny run quickly

at the moment? So do you pick someone who will maybe just run

well in the heats because she does not have the running in her legs?

Jenny was holds at the time trial... apparently the time trial went well,

but there is no evidence of it. Marilyn runs a crazy race. Gemma is

not fit ago. None of them are really pushing the case forward

released wrongly. That is the issue here. There are good reasons for

all of them not to be picked, that is the point! That is harsh! It is

a real issue. If you read the selection policy, there is a

Diamond League next week as well. The youth of July is technically

the last time make it picks somebody. They could name three

people and a reserve. That could give them another week to sort it

out. We will get and 90 in a couple of days' time. Let's might catch up

with a hundred metres. The woman's hundred metres. This is what

well. The Norwegian is there as well. 11.27 into a slight headwind.

It is not particularly quick, but after losing a couple of metres to

quite a few of the athletes, she kept it together, capture composure

and eventually came through. won the European junior title nine

years ago, had a brilliant a London season in 2004. She has had some

injury problems, including a broken leg. The first Bulgarian ever to

win the goals in 100 metres final. It was very, very tight on the line.

She knew when she crossed the line, that the gold was first. You have

got to hand a tour, it was not the best of starts. I always think it

is difficult if you're sandwiched between two really good 60-metre

runners because they get out of the blocks are well. She just had

enough of it the last 20 metres to force yourself to the front, and I

think that was as much to do with determination as anything else.

There was some guts shown here as well. The title goes to Bulgaria

third have been given the same time. So, the first ever female gold

medal for Bulgaria in this event. We are going to move on to the 200

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 125 seconds

Laina for in this women's European Mariya Ryemyen. So, she gets it.

almost could have been I Ukrainian 1, 2, 3. The defending champion

lost it completely, almost lost her One of the talking point in

Helsinki has been that tightness of the events. They have relayed this

track to make sure there is an football pitch in the middle and

there have been lots of disqualifications, happened there?

There have been lots. The shape of its is very unusual. It is very

tight in the beginning, then straightened up, then gets tight

again. Athletes are far more prepared to have a smooth pence.

This is why we're having lots of people clipping the lines. It came

into play with devastating effect for the British women's relay team.

It was really unfortunate for them. They were going into this

championships ranked 15th in the world and it was very important for

them to get through this qualification rounds and obviously

British record holder. She is running now. Running nicely down

the home straight. Handing over to hear Lee Jones. You see she

slightly stumbled there. Really found it awkward. Now she is just

thinking got I hope nobody saw me clicked that line. It looks like

Britain are through comfortably. No problems whatsoever, in second

place with a smile. It look like they were going to get that vital

top 16 spot. You can see her just catching it there. What a shame.

almost looked as if she tried to go too tight. She caught the line. I

had been in situations when you have typed bends engine normally

make the adjustment early. Running late three, it is very difficult.

It is unfortunate because it was so vital for our girls to make it

through. They did not run badly. They are not three. A bit of

history what the women's relay team. Two years ago at their head coach

was overheard after their disqualification calling it a

disgrace, that performance. lambasted the girls, he really did.

This is what happens when you leave qualification so late in the day.

To be fair, the girls have not been in the best shape. They have all

struggled with injuries. The consistency has eluded them in the

less -- in the last couple of years. They had their funding withdrawn.

That is the motivation for her them to get them up or they want to be.

It is terrible for Team GB because you always want to have

representation, at least. We can three turns. That is way out there!

Sophie Hitchen making no impression in this final. She has thrown about

65 metres in the first round. Now, Anita Wlodarczyk. For more world

round. That could be better. Yes it is. She has to be part of the top

eight. She shakes her head. Not looking too happy. Plenty of

British support out there. Good turns. And coming down midway

between 65 and 70 metres. May improve her situation. She is in

ninth. But it is an improve. 67.17. Mohr one of men hoping to give them

something to think about. I think they will expecting a lot in that

event. Mohr has made a good start. Better conditions for the men. So

he is clear first time. A bit of room Fourth round for Wlodarczyk.

She just managed to maintain her balance and that is out to wards 75

metres. The coach and the athlete looking fairly unemotional about

that throw. A toe turn on the first turn and then it is heel-toe all

the way, before she launches that hammer. So Wlodarczyk still leads.

But how far is it? Oh it is an improvement. 74.29. Well Sophie

Hitchon not making it. But she has had a strong season. British record

had a strong season. British record three times. Ray Yes it is good to

see our throws, specially the hammer, she is being a pioneer in

that eventn't just unfortunate that she didn't make it by one place.

Very disappointing. But still going. One athlete who was not selected

last week was Chris Tomlinson in the long jump. He came here and

didn't make the final. How would you assess where he is? As we saw

at the start he won silver in Barcelona. Yes unbelievable. Poor

Chris. You always think what are you doing. He needs a good shake-up.

She has great competition at home. It is toing and froing with that

British record and he needs to concentrate and just deliver more

consistency. We all know he is a very talented Athletic laet. And

with all the problems that you have, all the niggles, it is a bit of a

problem. What is frustrating, if he can come back and jump 7.93 and not

be able to do that at the Championships. That is what we look

forward to, people making a difference. One of the biggest

heartbreaks was Lorraine, she was one centimetre short. She tried to

do it this week. And she won't be going. By one centimetre. It is,

how cruel these selections are. But you know, she has got a lot of

experience coming into these Championships and will get a lot

from being here. Hopefully she will grow from here. Sh she has never

been in this situation before. back to the action. The women's

back to the action. The women's four by 100 metres relay. The

stadium is bathed in sunshine. There is some wind in the arena.

disappointing to all s support who have come here. Switzerland on the

inside. They set a new national record in qualifying yesterday.

Belarus led off by the Russian indoor champion. She should be used

to tight bends. France are former champions. And bringing it home

will be the bronze medallist in the individual 100 metres. The big

teams, first of all Russia. She has tasted lirp success. Run the first

leg in Beijing. Possibly the favourites, they are the defending

champions it is Ukraine. And they have Ryemyen the 200 metre champion.

The Germans have the former European champion. Only finished

sixth this time. The Netherlands got into the final because of

Britain's disqualification. Shippers did well in the 200 metres.

Finally right on the outside, Poland. They have made it through

to the Olympics, no matter what happens here. Quite a useful

quartet. So difficult to see if there is an out and out favourite.

In consideration of Ukrainian come position of the team with Povh,

Ryemyen and the others, very very good individual runners. How can

they change the baton's. The French there. They're pretty useful and

let's not forget Russia. The 4 by gaining ground the craw Ukraines

have gone off well. What about the first change over? All OK. The

French have made a real hash of it. And the Ukraine too. Germany trying

to chase down the Netherlands. France are recovering here. With

the Russians, but it is Germany who change over first. And Germany

bring it home. The Ukraine will be disgusted. Not to have defended

their title. But jarmy get the gold, the Netherlands are silver. Poland

could be in with a shout as well. 42.51. Well what would have

happened had the Ukraine got the baton to their final runner? We

shall never know. But the Netherlands have having -- are

having a good games here. There is Povh the lead off runner. But

Germany are the European champions, with the fastest time in Europe in

2012 as well. Well you have to hand to it Germany they often get it

right in the relays. The Dutch, well they only got through because

of the disqualification of the British, but they had two good

youngsters to bring in. They couldn't run them yesterday,

because they were in the 200 metres. Ryemyen never even got to compete,

the winner of 200 metres. It is all about getting the baton round, we

have said that goodness knows how many times. You can't run easy, you

have to stretch and the Germans were always going to be close to

the Ukraine. But the Ukraine were the favourite and Povh is such a

good starter. Watch this. She is struggling on the bend to keep her

balance. But there was nothing wrong. They just didn't take the

baton. She had it in her hand and then dropped it. There was nothing

seriously wrong the the change. She just dropped it. Then it was all

about the German team and on the top bend at this point until that

third leg, Holland were just about in the lead. But there was a great

third leg from Germany and handed over to the experienced European

champion from two years ago and their youngster, the Dutch

youngster, Samuel, finished very well indeed. So a dramatic women's

race. But jarmy are the champions. -- Germany are the champions. It

was very clear, first, second and third. But the Ukraine must be

thinking what if. They have had a good Championship and that is the

first thing that has gone wrong for them really. So the Germans bathed

in sunshine as the champions. Poland repeat their bronze medal

success of two years ago. And the Dutch quartet must be absolutely

beside themselves with pleasure. Just have another look at this.

Povh is going so fast around the bend, but corrects herself and the

next runner should have taken it away. She had it and then just

dropped it. This was a good leg around the top bend. Ship% ran well

for hell land and it was a safe change and the gold was theirs. The

French ed a no Christine Arron, who was dropped. But that made no

difference. So there is the top three. Germany, the Netherlands and

Poland. Well we assumed that the action was going to come from the

lanes further inside. It is not often you get the first three past

the line in lanes 6, 7 and 8. Well the women's hammer final continuing.

The big question is can anybody catch the Polish athlete who is in

pole position. That is Anita Wlodarczyk. This is Klaas of

Germany. Those followers of hammer throwing will see a resemblance to

the German world record holder, who did not make the final. That is not

going to be good enough to bring Klaas a medal. Currently in fourth.

Trying her best there. But she needed 70 metres. She has already

thrown 70.44. The bronze medal position held by Bulgakova. Klaas

69.75. She will finish in fourth. Sophie Hitchon finished in 11th

with 67.17. So Anna Bulgakova. Wlodarczyk's best was 74.29. The

Russian has to go longer than that, otherwise the Polish athlete is the

champion. That is confirmed. So we have a new champion, but still one

more throw to go. Wlodarczyk it is. She lost her World Championship

status, she lost her world record. But she is going to gain a European

gold medal. 71.47 for Bulgaria Coe Valgaeren is there anything that

Hrasnova can do? She keeps it so long. Didn't have the finishing

speed there. That is coming down below the 70 metre mark. She

actually hit the cage. But she is good idea as to which athletes are

emerging as a Olympic favourites. There is certainly a very good

Chinese athlete, obviously not here. She is a 75 plus thrower. I am sure

that Betty Heidler will try to make sure she does much better in London.

He goes to champion with the last throw of the competition. She hit

the cage, overcook it but it doesn't matter, because Anita

Wlodarczyk is the European Women's hammer champion. Anne-Sophie

Hitchen, she finishes in 11th place. -- and Sophie Hitchon. I think it

is going to take much bigger throws to win the Olympic title in just

over a month's time. I think when Anita Wlodarczyk won her world

title in Berlin, where she broke the world record, she actually

started to do Ohla pub on and tripped over a camera bag or

something like that and sprained her ankle -- to do a lap of honour.

Maybe she will do one this time. There you go, the European champion.

today than they have been for most of the week. We have seen pictures

of some of the rain that has dogged the championships, and a much

better crowd, it is holiday time in Helsinki, so a better crowd as they

welcome the long jumpers coming out for their final. That will be on

a very good clearance from him, so he will join multi- more with a

first-time clearance. -- Malte Mohr. That is a good clearance, plenty of

competition favourite, he is unbeaten in 2012, but this time he

is clear. Just a little shake of the header, and I bet that is a

huge relief. It might just come back to affect the competition

later. Look how clear hears, he just grazed it a little bit on the

way down. A very close to a second failure. A little fortunate, there,

the Frenchman. He is to make a couple of slight adjustments. He

has been in such good form this through produce it. -- Two Bridges

said. -- what a time to produce it. A season's best. Enjoying the much

better conditions here. Of course, Germany in men and women's pole-

vaulting are so strong. We have already saved Malte Mohr. Bjorn

controlled. He is a big man, Bjorn Otto, and he made that look very

difficult -- comfortable indeed. It is warming up. I was just about to

say, it really is hotting up. The women's final was held in terrible

conditions. Much better for the men and we have got some of the best

first attempt. Goodness me. They are taking a few risks here.

Perhaps reflected in the crowd by the coach, thinking, this strategy

may well pay off. That is a clear. To first-time clearances, and the

Germans are in a very good position now. Yes! That puts him in the lead

the end with a fair bit of daylight, but how well did the Dutch team

run? A bonus after they got through when the British team were

disqualified. The fastest time in Europe this year. A wonderful

silver medal for the Netherlands. And Poland repeating their bronze

We will keep across the pole- vaulting and also the long jump

this starting soon, we JJ Jegede be looking for that Olympic standard

qualifying of eight metres. We will now have a look back at some action

that took past and the last couple of days and some of those athletes

who were already crowned the competitor early on in the women's

long jump. It was one of her best chance ever. Despite challenges

throughout the condition, she held on to win her first major title.

The European long jump champion and the gold medal.

In the men's javelin, but this lab Vesely was fortunate to get through

qualification but he has been in great form all year and finally, he

produced it, in the second round with a throw of 83.72 metres.

Tomlinson, incidentally, only took free throws. -- 3. In the winning

shot put, or the event favourite Nadine Kleinert -- in the winning

shot put, the event favourite Nadine Kleinert, contesting her 5th

European title, she won well with the best throw of 19.18 metres.

And there was more joy for Germany in the men's shot, David Storl

totally dominant. This was the winning throw in the third round,

improving to 21.58. He actually had a 22-metre throw which was judged

as they fell. -- as a foul. In the women's triple jump, Ballasalla do

have produced one of the best performances of the championships -

- Saladuha. This was the largest jump in the world this year. She is

their very definitely the favoured for the Olympic title. -- the

favourite. The two Frenchmen lead with the Hama laps to go. -- two

way from home but this is the first time we have seen anyone put in a

concerted effort. It is a French one, too, as they run to the 7

the title he won in 2010. Garcia is certainly a danger. Just gathering

momentum here and just over 400m to go. It has been a long, sustained

effort and the others are beginning to fall off one by one. Four men

are starting to pull clear, and look at Garcia, full of running.

The favourite has been out kicked on more than one occasion. That is

an early kick for home. The tall figure from France and the

diminutive figure from Spain, Garcia having to give way around

the top bend, but this is not over yet. The water jump, clear, with a

metre between them. This is between France and Spain, and that that

Garcia's. Has he got the pace from the final barrier? Garcia goes. We

have seen that in Championships in French but retains his title, he is

the European champion again. -- the Frenchman. Garcia just clipping it

with his leading leg. He did well competition. And he is clear. His

best is only 5.75. And he is causing a little bit of a stir here.

Just arching over, just pressures the bar, and it stays in place. And

he goes clear. A season's best for him. Because of that earlier

failure at 5.60, taking a bit of a gamble here. 5.77, first attempt,

and he gets it! That is more like it from the Frenchman. He really

has sprung to life. Very high indeed. Maintained good form over

the bar, and he really has taken a stranglehold on this event now. The

others have got to strike back soon, otherwise he may well have the gold

And he goes clear as well! We are rimfire great competition here.

Raphel Halstead their matching -- matching Lavillenie. And he will

lead the competition, because of Lavillenie's failure at 5.60. He

a decent pace is being set. The final is one which we have all been

looking forward to seeing. Jo Pavey, Charlotte Purdue, competing for

Great Britain, and Gemma Steel, who was a little further toward the

back. But Jo Pavey really just coming into some good form when she

wanted to. She was attempting to make it into the marathon team and

once that option had gone, she out to be a good men's pole vault

final. This guy was an Olympic finalist, where he finished tenth.

He tugs and tries to drive off the top of the pole. Back to the 10,000

metres. 1,600 metres gone and the familiar name of the Italian

Ejjafini leads the field. Jo Pavey has moved up to about the top four

places. Just a couple of places behind her is Charlotte Purdue. At

the back of the field is Gemma Steel. Now back to the pole vault,

Steve. This is Bjorn Otto. He has not done anything wrong, but he is

in fourth. He needs to draw clear here. Lavillenie is going so well.

Here he goes. He is running through, he won't have time to have another

go. The women's 10,000 metres, you mentioned a couple of names, it is

a shame it has slowed down, somebody like Charlotte Purdue

could think there was still a chance of Olympic qualification.

But that second Klimer the, 3.18. But you can see some names you

mentioned, Dee Yas and the women who won the women's cross country

Championships, Fionnuala Britton. She has done well in the 10,000

metres and will represent Ireland at the games. Ejjafini ran a

personal best in the 5,000. One or two other names. Dull Shay -- Dulce

Felix and Sabrina Mockenhaupt who Jo Pavey will know, they have a

race in Bergen and Mockenhaupt outkicked Jo Pavey in the latter

stages. But this is 10,000 and not 5,000 and Jo has been in good shape.

As good as Jo has been, she never gives less than 100% and she has

not won a major title. One of the reasons she is here is not just to

kiep thinging moves, but it is an - - to keep things moving, but it is

a good opportunity. It is a competitive field and she will have

to be at her best. Yes Britton leads, Ejjafini in second. Back to

the pole vault. Mohr. And he goes clear as well. So Germany with two

men clear at this height. He joins Holzdeppe. He won't like the idea

of Holzdeppe doing better than him here. Just a little congratulations

from his young country man. change in the leads except that die

Yas and Felix have -- Dee Yas and Felix have swapped over. There is a

breakaway group now. Jo Pavey is part of the group. Just forging

ahead of everyone else now. She is back in about 10th position on the

curve. Gemma Steel has joined them and all three Britons are there.

Just to clarify the situation, Jo Pavey already has the A standard.

There is no trial for GB over 10,000 metres. It was just about

the qualification period. It goes up until this weekend. So a quicker

kilometre from Britton, just picking the pace up. So there is

still an opportunity for Charlotte Purdue. 31.45 the qualifying time.

Filippidis earlier on must have thought he may have got a medal.

Burr he needs this. He hasn't got it. And that means the Greek is out

of competition. As we head back to Britton for Ireland leading this

10,000 metres women's final. Charlotte Purdue, this is her third,

well there is one walking off. This is her third 10,000 metres of the

season. The first one she ran 33 and ran in the State and ran 32.03.

I think when she ran 32.03, her thinking was that is not too far

away. Mockenhaupt has been down the back straight for a drink.

Germans clear at 5.77 can Otto make ate trio? Yes he can! Well, with

every vault this competition is getting keen indeed. So now clear

at 5.77 we have hol Depp, Lavillenie, Mohr and now Otto. Wow!

There we go. He will have to go higher if he has any chance to get

a medal. Particular think gold. -- particularly the gold. Gemma Steel

at the back of the group. She will have ambitions as well. She will

have to have a massive improvement to get near an Olympic qualifying.

But she was third in the German cross country. Mockenhaupt again

taking on water. And destroying the table in the process. And she

didn't even manage to get hold of a boolt of -- bottle of water.

Normally, you don't want to take the top off bottles, it is more

difficult to drink from. Cups cowl have been, they're not ideal either,

but better than bottles. It is not a marathon. Just a grab a quick sip.

Surprised they are doing it. It is not exactly 30 degrees is it?

Pavey at the back of that pack, more about that in a minute. Now

Lavillenie knows he has got to go higher than 5.77 to win gold. And

he will not do it with that vault. That compounds the problem he has.

He may think of passing on either the next two attempts, or maybe

have another go. Because of an early failure at 5.60, which he

must be kicking himself about now, he will have to go again and get

first time clearances. Back to the 10,000. Britton and Ejjafini. All

three Britons there too. Just seeing a glimpse of Jo Pavey. She

is just chugging along nicely. Gemma Steel at the back of the

group and Charlotte Purdue is there as well. Overtaking one of the

Ukrainians. Charlotte Purdue working hard in this race. Just

concerned about Jo. She has been, I thought she was happy to run at the

back. Maybe it wasn't happy. Maybe that is, she is struggling.

Holzdeppe at 5.82. I'm assuming, I don't know for a fact, because

we're sat here and they're out there, but most of the competitors

could have changed to a more stiff pole for these greater heights.

That is why we're getting a couple of failures. But no change and

Britton content to lead this 10,000 metre final. Jo has got herself

closer. I was getting concerned that she was letting gaps appear.

If it was conscious, fair enough, but if it was because she is

struggling, she shouldn't be struggling at this stage. She has

been in good shape. Well the men's long jump final about to start. We

have some more field event finals to start. JJ Jegede of Britain

needs 8.20 to be considered for the Olympics. Chris Tomlinson did not

qualify for this final. As has become tradition we're having a

look at all of the contestants. Chuva there. And the man who

proproduced the biggest jumping performance, Bayer. JJ Jegede, now

the British No 2. Can he go further? Luiz Meliz. Formerly of

bue ka, now representing Spain. -- Cuba, now representing Spain. And

the five times Swedish champion. Jensen of Denmark there. He has not

achieved much outdoors. Eusebio cackers. -- Caceres. And Olly

Kyneen. -- Ollikainen is very popular in these ports as is Tommi

Evila. He won Finland's only medal in 2005. Gomis there of France. A

very good exponent of the long jump indoors. And outdoors too. So back

to the 10,000. Jo Pavey just tracking Charlotte Purdue as that

leading group is starting to put a bit of a gap between themselves and

Dias. But it is still Britain and Ireland -- Britton of Ireland who

is leading. Felix is in second. Charlotte Purdue is looking

comfortable, Steve and if Jo was going through a bad patch, we saw

what she did at the British Olympic trials with her finishing spurt

over the last lap of the 5,000 there. Just as I have said that,

another gap begins to appear between herself and Charlotte

Purdue, who moves around the outside and wants to stay in touch

with the leaders. The pace through 5,000 almost exactly 16 minutes.

Times two that is 32 minutes. Charlotte Purdue, there was that

second kilometre and since then they have been rung around 76 laps.

That is what they would have looked -- liked. There was a 77 there. But

ten seconds adrift of that Olympic qualifying time. As we see the

introdu,s for the women's -- introductions for the women's

discuss that will be starting soon. There we have it. Perkovic is the

defending European champion and she is only 22. She won two years ago

and had just come out of her teenage years and it was a massive

boost to her career. She became the youngest ever discuss champion on

that occasion. The 10,000 metres still continuing. She is the six

times Polish champion there. There is Sandra Perkovic. She won in the

final round on that occasion. Chechlova there, a very powerful

athlete. And tick is the Moldovan record holder. And Semenova, her

best this year is 63.56. Jansen of the Netherland, seven times the

Dutch champion. The French record holder there. The Italian under3

champ con there. -- under23 Fischer, and a real new German at

staff. -- staff. And and a roof. he needs to get theirs. No. He is

in trouble. And unbeaten this year, the Frenchman, under some pressure

here, and for him, even 5.82, the form he has been then, he should be

able to clear this. -- been in. For Raphel Halstead but went clear with

the business end and Fionnuala Britton has been at the front for a

long time, but pushing things on. She wants to convert her cross-

country victory to a track victory and Charlotte Purdue, who looked

very comfortable all the way through,... First Sue Sebastian

Bayer. He is in great shape. And that is a cracking start, if it is

a valid jump. But it is not. Nearly a fireworks are the first round. --

in the first round. Felix is beginning to claw her way from the

pack of five athletes and Jo Pavey has spotted the danger and she is

going after the Portuguese athlete. They know each other pretty well,

Felix was second to Fionnuala Britton in those European cross-

country championships and on paper, she is very well matched with Jo

Pavey. Jo Pavey not wanting to panic, she knows this is a big spur

to. They were running 76s but all of a sudden, this is a big push by

Felix, and Jo Pavey's initial reaction has now slowed again. The

and people beginning to latch onto the back of Jo Pavey, so at the

moment, unless they can work together, these five, and looked to

close that gap, Felix has stolen a march. It is sad to say, I was

really hoping that the Jo Pavey, with a long way to go really, but

that gap is getting bigger, I was really hoping that Jo Pavey could

do something. They 73 second lap by the Portuguese athlete has broken

things up at last in this 10,000m - stage. She is trying to go after

Felix. Pat satisfied that Felix will come back to that chasing

group. -- perhaps. Fionnuala Britton moving comfortably along

the outside and Charlotte Purdue of finding herself behind that chasing

pack, she doesn't want to end up in no man's land. And Jo Pavey is now

back in third place, but the lead is a big one. Felix really is

putting in a hard 800m and she has put the field wide open. And a bit

surprised, I think Jo Pavey will say afterwards, that in the sort of

form she has been staying, they are any running the 32 minutes pace and

for Felix to get away so easily, OK, it has been two decent lads, but I

thought she would cope with that. - he landed on it. Anyway, Felix

looking strong at this point. Trying to take this group a little

closer, but look at the gap. It is a good 35-of 40 metres. They are

moving down the back straight and she is starting to look around a

little bed. Those two laps were impressive -- and little bit. But I

was surprised she could pull away so easily. Fionnuala Britton tried

to hang on to any chance of a medal here. -- trying. They are lapping

the Spaniard Marta Silvestre, who was 400m behind that chasing group.

And even the chasing group is beginning to split apart. Poor old

Charlotte Purdue is in 6th place. But this is a very impressive but

of running by Felix. In the pole vault, and very important moment

for the favourite -- a very important moment. Renaud Lavillenie.

He has got to get this otherwise he Frenchman. Absolutely fantastic --

a brilliant vault. A big sigh of relief, if he had failed that, he

would have come thinking he had failed in his attempt to win at the

European title that he deserves. He has been by far away the most

consistent in Europe this year, if not in the rest of the world as

well. Renaud Lavillenie goes ahead of Raphael hole stepper -- Rafael

into this lead whatsoever. Dulce Felix of Portugal is looking strong

as she comes around. She just has a little look around and she will be

very happy with what she sees, clear daylight behind her. It is

another 75 second lap. Krisztina Papp moving into some clear space

for second. Charlotte Purdue, I think and do what she was trying to

do... We will just go back to the pole vault. A earlier on, he may

have thought he had won it, but he is out of the competition now. He

certainly will be getting a medal, I think, but there are still four

men of fighting. Michel Torneus to go in the long

performer and he goes over eight metres. You can see how blustery it

first person to have a legal aid metre jump. We saw Sebastian Bayer

get it earlier -- eight-metre. A great jump, Sweden in the lead in

the long jump. Three laps to go for Dulce Felix. Jo Pavey has moved

into a medal position. Krisztina Papp other Ukraine in second and

then behind Jo Pavey, or Fionnuala Britton and then in the distance,

of Charlotte Purdue is in six, but no doubt about whether gold medal

is heading at this point. The likes kids looking behind for a surge and

there is nothing really materialising -- Felix keeps

looking behind. They are running the pace they have run pretty much

the whole race. Felix has just adopted by two or three seconds and

now has a six or seven second lead. Krisztina Papp just wondering

whether she is making any inroad into it -- bowler Skrypak just

wondering whether she is making any inroads into it. Portugal so strong

in recent times, with a great record going back a long time in

women's distance running and they could well be getting a new

European champion. A tremendous run by Dulce Felix. 800m to go for the

leader. There is the chasing second and third places. Skrypak of the

Ukraine and the Jo Pavey. Fionnuala Britton is a long way back and then

Charlotte Purdue another 60 metres, after coming here hoping to gain

the Olympic qualifying time of 31: 45. She has had a couple of a

valley and attempts this season. Jo Pavey is only a couple of metres

away from a silver medal position at the moment and if she is in any

sort of shape, she could put in a sprint finish, just as she did in

the final of the women's 5,000m at the UK trial. But Felix is a note

enjoy the last lap. It is going to be a bit of a scrap for the silver

and bronze medal. Jo Pavey is just Horringer, waiting to unleash the

pace that she still does possess -- just hovering. She is around eight

seconds behind Dulce Felix. Of course, Portugal won this title way

back end 94 and went on to win the medal back in 2006 in the

Commonwealth Games -- of course won a silver medal. Can she repeat that

performance here? Dulce Felix is a very worthy champion but the silver

medal is still up for grabs between a Ukrainian and Jo Pavey of Great

Britain. Skrypak just trying to run a little wide around the bend, Jo

Pavey taking the shortest route. She will wait until the home

straight before tried to get past the Ukrainian. But here is the

champion, she can look ahead, she doesn't have to worry about what is

going on behind. Skrypak trying to kick on and Jo Pavey, as ever,

gritting her teeth. And the arms and the knees pumping her down the

home straight towards a silver medal. The gold coast of Portugal

and then it is silver for Jo Pavey. here. A very strong last kilometre

up from Phyllis, she didn't falter. Jo Pavey the list of very strong

but it was those couple of laps when Dulce Felix went away.

Charlotte Purdue crosses the line. So it is silver again, one South

the Commonwealth Games and now the Portuguese athlete the Felix.

And as Steve was saying, nobody could live with that extra

injection of pace, not even Jo Pavey. But she is rewarded with a

remarking that I thought Jo Pavey was looking good at the end of the

race. She just didn't look comfortable in the early stages and

wasn't really up with the group and it will be interesting to see what

her comments are afterwards. She seemed really pleased with the

silver medal, and so she should be, but it just looked as though

earlier on in the race she was not looking too comfortable. She did

fish well but Felix was very, very 5.82. And he won't be very happy

with that. The last chance as well for Bjorn Otto, the big tour German.

Can he joined Renaud Lavillenie? Yes, he can! So it is still game on

in his pole vault final. While the gold medal go to France or will it

be destined for Germany? Tremendous effort by Bjorn Otto. I wonder if

the Germans came here thinking, we can dominate this competition? They

almost did, but the remarkable vault by the Frenchman Renault --

Renaud Lavillenie in means it is one Frenchman and one German who

will contest the final and the bar but was almost a look of

resignation on his face when he saw Bjorn Otto go for it -- go clear.

That was a fantastic response by Renaud Lavillenie. Just watch this.

He has been in such good form this year. So, he is now back in the

lead. I think he wants to have it put up to five metres 92. That was

a great performance by Jo Pavey. We saw the men's 10,000 metres earlier

on. We will continue our run three events that have already taken

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 125 seconds

women's 3000 metres steeplechase final. In at the Men's decathlon it

was a goal for Germany, after a season's best in the javelin for

him. 8558 points was his total. France took the title in the

women's decathlon. She scored three personal bests, including a

season's best in the 800 metres. We will catch up now with the men's

Mark Lewis-Francis didn't make it through. You can see he was left in

the blocks, but he was run out of it. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey did make

blocks, and put some pressure on in the first 50 metres, he could be

dangerous. He is a 200 metres specialist. This is the man who has

been as surprised everybody. He is not pretty to watch, but he is

powerful, strong and finishes quickly. The defending champion, a

prodigious talent. He looked quite serene in qualification. He needs

to get us of the blocks well. This man has been really good in the

last couple of years, he is still very young. Talk about a precocious

talent, and former youth world champion. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

The European title is always a high lights. Christophe Le nectar has

come here to defend it and defended well, he hopes. Can any of these

athletes stand in his way? Conditions are still in shadow in

left there. What was his problem if he didn't even try to start?

Everything seems to be good-natured, but why did he just sit in the

blocks? He will get a warning, not a red card. He didn't even try to

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 125 seconds

start! At the second time of asking, this time. I think it could well be

him. Yes, it could well be. Yes, definitely, on the far side. It was

an obvious false start by the Italian. He was disqualified.

Christophe is hoping to get away its title again, just from his

team-mate. Goodness me, it wasn't the best out of the blocks. It was

a messy final in the end. The Latvian did not look like he was

interested in taking part. Christophe joins the list of men

who have defended his title, including Linford Christie. He is a

two-time European champion. I don't think Christophe had realised he

had won. It has just been confirmed. Kudos now! Harry bomb macro Harry

Aikines-Aryeetey did not go as fast as he would have wanted. Christophe

starting to eat up the ground. He Now, it is straight back out to the

clear! Over to you! Bjorn Otto taking the gamble that Renaud

Lavillenie wouldn't go any higher. Renaud Lavillenie was the first to

go. What a response from this man, Renaud Lavillenie. He looked a

little bit out of sorts earlier in the competition. 5.92! That is as

high as anybody has gone this year in the world. He is unbeaten this

year, the world No. 1. It just hangs on! Look at the response!

This is turning into a great competition. So, Renaud Lavillenie

have just seen six -- we have just seen the Sebastian Bayer complete

his second jump, but it was a foul. JJ Jegede is going well here. He is

looking good in the first round. My goodness! Spot on the border. I'm

sure she is just thinking about what he needs for an Olympic

qualification, which would be 8.20. So, Luis Felipe Meliz. What a great

jump by JJ Jegede! The long jump is benefiting from a pretty strong

breeze behind them. That is good as well! Michel Torneus has the lead

at the moments. It looks as though he may well have gone beyond it.

Yes, indeed, a 8.21, a season's best with the Spaniard. Bjorn Otto

trying to join the Renaud Lavillenie. He gets it! That is two

centimetres higher than he has ever gone in the past. This is a great,

great competition. And you lifetime best for the German. I guess at the

bar all night go up to 5.97. He had had once the year at its. What a

performance! What a competition we Lavillenie, first time! It is clear

or! This has got to be one of the best competitions of this season.

These two are reaching heights that nobody has done this year. The last

couple have been first-time clearances. Night Bjorn Otto, he

must have thought that he was really pushing Renaud Lavillenie,

but all he is doing is pushing him higher. Bjorn Otto has decided to a

pass at 5.97 because he knows he has to jump higher than the

Frenchman. We could see two athletes in this final attempt in

the next height, which has 6.02. We could see Renaud Lavillenie resting

on his laurels. What a fantastic jump! The highest in the world this

This has been a cracking competition. We might see a six

metre jump! Renaud Lavillenie is the world leader, consistent all

year. It is brilliant to watch. When you get good competition like

this, it could be anywhere, Europeans or anything. A quick word

We caught up with the men's 100m a little while ago, this is what

happened in the 200m which featured record holder and but for 100 and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 125 seconds

here. One is end terms of doing well in this race and run quicker

than 20.55, because he needs to do that to have any chance of being

selected. Patrick Van lyric of the Netherlands has looked very

impressive. -- Luijk. And Chris Clarke looked pretty good

in the trials, finishing third in the 200m but the game, has not run

the qualifying time and you think his chance has gone, because he

would have needed to have done it much to run for. Jonathan Borlee

will feel the heat of ChurandyMartina, who was 4th in the

Olympic 100m and then disqualified in the Olympic 200m final when he

thought he had won a medal. The Dutch could not convert and the

women's 200, when one of the favourites for for the medal...

They have two chances here. As did the British men, with DanielTalbot

Borlee start well but ChurandyMartina already going well.

Talbot is going well in fire and Chris Clarke has had a good start

in lane seven. -- 5. Talbot just starting to fade as ChurandyMartina

goes through, and the Dutchman storms ahead. It is going to be a

Dutch 12. -- 1-2. Daniel Talbot with the bronze medal. No doubt

about the European champion. He was the class act in this race and he

proved it in fine style and his team made followed him through. But

a medal for Great Britain. -- team mate. Just looking at this race

again, the two Britons get away to cracking start but so does

ChurandyMartina. DanielTalbot was leading this 200m final for the

first 100m but then Martina started to eat up the ground. He was

stronger than everybody else. Talbot just holding off Jonathan

Borlee for a brilliant bronze medal. Chris Clarke back in six for 7th

place. That was a dominant raised by Martina -- race by Martina, the

came 4th that the European Championships, so to get bronze is

a brilliant feeling. And to hold off a fast-finishing Jonathan

Borlee, well-known Belgian athlete, better known over 400 but he has

really been performing well. Could you sense in tracking you down?

Definitely an because I know he has a 400m runner, he has that

endurance, so I needed to focus on what I was doing and stay relaxed

what I was doing and stay relaxed and thankfully, I did. Danny Talbot

speaking to Alison Curbishley our 5 Live, and perhaps staking a claim

for selection? Absolutely and this is why we talk about the European

Championship working in people's favour. That will have shaken up

the selectors, showing them he can perform under pressure. That ties

up the sprinting from Helsinki. We are going to go across the Atlantic

to warmer climes and quicker times and one of the most eagerly

anticipated 200m outside of the Olympics. The Jamaican

championships, everybody was waiting for the clash of the titans.

Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Usain Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Usain

Bolt. Lane three is Asafa Powell, Elena five is Usain Bolt and Elaine

seven, the current world champion. You can see that Usain Bolt did not

get a good start. Look at Yohan Blake streaking away. That is his

training park that -- partner and he takes the title, the fastest

time in the world. You can see Usain Bolt realise there is nothing

he can do. He has to speak in front of Asafa Powell, which she does,

of Asafa Powell, which she does, but what a 100m. We are used to

Usain Bolt running everybody down but he didn't look like he was

doing it at all with Yohan Blake. We did look at that and we also

know that Yohan Blake has a great 200m, so he is certainly strong.

And what is interesting for me is it was a better run from Asafa

Powell. I think he is looking good. We know that sometimes mentally he

is not in the game, but I thought he looked really good and that was

promising. And he had a slight issue with his groin. And it is not

just Jamaicans, the American trials were also incredibly strong.

Electric running in the men's 100m. Justin Gatlin winning it in 9.80

seconds. Everybody was shot up by the performance of Tyson Gay. He

has been very quiet, recovering from injuries, he pulled his

hamstring literally write off the bone and has taken his time and ran

9.86 seconds and shows everybody he is returning to top form. Another

that has printed news from the US trials, the Paralympic trials,

Johnny Peacock broke the 100m record -- sprinting news. That

record was held by Oscar Pistorius. 10.85 seconds, so that is pretty

impressive and put him in contention for a gold medal ahead

of Oscar Pistorius. We are all looking forward to the Paralympic

Games, it is great to see that. Games, it is great to see that.

More sprinting from Helsinki now, it is the men's 4x100 metres relay,

and Dwain Chambers is in the holder with 10.23 in the Czech

Republic. Germany have a very strong squad,

including Unger, the 2004 Olympic finalist.

Mark Lewis-Francis running the last the individual event, has felt

discomfort in his hamstring -- have a, out in lane eight, the

Netherlands. They have really come France will be disappointed that as

the defending champions, they couldn't be at full strength. Mark

Lewis-Francis is waiting in the sunshine. Christian Malcolm will be

the Olympic ranking list after the might of Jamaica, the USA and

France. All of those teams are safely through to the Olympic Games.

This would be the perfect dress rehearsal, it Great Britain could

become the European champions. -- He has always taken a metre. Russia

are going well and so are the Netherlands. Oh, no, Great Britain

have dropped the baton. GB and Northern Ireland are out of it. So

the Netherlands, right on the outside, Martina having a brilliant

leg. Russia are coming on strong. The defending champions France are

right in the frame and so are Germany in lane three. An untidy

changeover for France, so Germany challenging for the gold medal. The

Netherlands as well. The Netherlands get it, Germany in

second place, France third. And Great Britain are nowhere. 38.34.

The Dutch had been looking better and better. Just about it the whole

of their squad, as these games have continued. But Great Britain's woes

in relay racing continue. Oh, my goodness. Well, what a period for

the Dutch are sprinting team. Their women have run a national record

and now... Sorry, a European league. And that is a new European League

record for the men. They ran so well individually the 200m but a

very strong team. The French were not at full strength, but have to

be honest, I don't think the French ran as well as they might have done.

And if you can hear some of the things that were said by Charles

van Commenee about the women's team, goodness only knows how he will

feel about that men's relay team. Here we go back to what is an

height have looked as though they have looked -- lacked a little bit

of energy, and no surprise. Let's go back to this relay. Christian

Malcolm to Dwain Chambers should be a safe Exchange, because of the

experience they have. It actually happened before this. Christopher

Lemaitre had a terrible changes well. The French are having to wait

for him. And just watch the last change for the French, did they

keep it inside the yellow line. Just about gets it, yes. Germany

looking good, but it was the Dutch who were very impressive and it is

a good time, 38.4. So they have suddenly thrown themselves into the

mix for perhaps a Olympic medals. For Great Britain, it has been a

terrible weekend in terms of sprinting. Struggling in terms of

getting even four out in the 4x4. It just looked as though Dwain

Chambers might have gone slightly early, I don't know, I am sure we

will get the analysis but Christian Malcolm just did not quite get to

him and never had the baton in his hand. The cream on top of the jam

for the Netherlands is the fact already performed a personal best

with the 5.92 clearance. To try and win that title, to wrest it away

from the defending champion. Goodness me, he has made Renaud

Lavillenie defend it with everything he has got. Malte Mohr

was the best German pole-vaulter before this. It will be a silver

for Bjorn Otto. Can he snatched the gold medal? Well, that was a

slightly better effort, but there wasn't much to its, really. Renaud

Lavillenie has defended his title. A great competition. Did champion

managed to get his act together, and he has done it in a way that he

has not managed to do so far this year. Who would bet against him

repeating this in the Olympic Games? Well, they won a medal.

Bjorn Otto has come across to congratulate him. Not good for

Great Britain, though. This story of the failures of our relay teams

the discus. Good flight on it as well. That is the longest throw we

have seen in the competition. Just waiting go the distance to come up.

Here we go again. What can you say? We know that the team has not

practised much, they have been scrambled together. Dwain Chambers

has not been included in all the relays so far. The change over to

Christian Malcolm was not good. Christian Malcolm did not run at

bad bend. It looks OK there, but they just have not practised enough.

We can be critical, we have every right to be critical. In the last

five years, they have hardly managed to make it round with the

bat on. Going back when you were in the relay team, I guess you did not

practise that much, did you? Well, that was the only relay race I ever

ran Andy made it easy for me, the Duke meet the first leg. We were

very cautious with her changes. I think this team extend their

takeover much more because they want to push themselves right to

the edge. They have been a Olympic champions and the know that if they

push themselves they can perform very, very well indeed. I think

they have just got to think more positively. I think they can rely

on their leg speed. It is a high risk policy they are playing, and

it's quite a few times it doesn't work. They are over complicating it.

They have to find something. Maybe that extension in changing over is

their only option, because they are just not quick enough. Two years

ago it was Dai Greene taking the title, this time it is Nathan

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 125 seconds

Woodward, the 2011 UK champion. A big tall Guy. He will find lane to

quite difficult. Dai Greene elected not to come here to defend his

title. Rhys Williams, at a European bronze medal back in 2006, a silver

medal in 2010 behind Dai Greene, a champion. The world No. 1 has long

ago as 2006. Certainly the oldest man in this final. 16 successive

Greek titles he has run. A lot of people fancied the Serbian to do

well. He is full of confidence after two new Serbian record

yesterday. A chance here for two Britons, in lane two, and Rhys