European Team Championships: Day One Athletics

weekend of athletics on the BBC. Nearly eight hours of coverage

across today and tomorrow, as we follow the fortunes of the British

team in Braunschweig, Germany. This year's venue for that perennial

favourite the European Athletics Team Champions. It's when individual

glory takes a back seat. It's all about the team. It's all about the

team here in the Salford studio. Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson,

regulars alongside special guest Perri Shakes-Drayton. They finished

third last year with great individual performances.

COMMENTATOR: Away we go. Bang! Mo Farah, maximum points for Great

Britain. Totally dominant. The crowd are on their feet, Shakes-Drayton

will get in. He starts well. She's far above everybody's expectation, a

wonderful effort. What a great run this is! Away goes Christine

Ohuruogu. It's a big, big victory for Great Britain, maximum points.

Great second place, well done. Perfectly judged by Williams.

Brilliant performance from Jessica. The North East weather was

apocalyptic at times but couldn't dampen a great British team

performance. Good afternoon guys, we'll chat about your injury-rehab

after that freak injury in Moscow shortly. First, your memories what

have was a great weekend in Gateshead, especially being team

captain. It was sunny on the day I was running, that's way remember! I

put in a good performance, but I felt it was my

put in a good performance, but I for the rest of the team. And for

everyone just to follow and dot for the rest of the team. And for

and get the -- do the best and get the maximum points for the team. You

felt, I imagine, a great deal of pressure. It is a unique

felt, I imagine, a great deal of the athletics calendar, isn't it?

Definitely. The most think, the athletics calendar, isn't it?

pressure for me, was giving the speech. I was so scared the night

before. I hoped the speech would go well. You ran brilliantly, I have to

say. We looked to you, nice to see you on the hurdles, but you had such

a good 400 season that year to top it off there was fantastic. That

weekend is about galvanising. You look to your stars. You look to the

people that we know are the bankers, the possible point scorers,

high-point scorers and they bring the team with they. -- them. It is a

special pressure. This gets you. Especially when the team members

before you have been doing so remarkably well. When some of the

youngsters that, perhaps are not kind of expected to deliver the

performances go one or two places above what we first thought was

going to happen to them, then the real pressure is on. I certainly

recognise that added pressure. It was third for the team one year ago.

This time round, perhaps not the strongest British team. Here's are

the thoughts of the performance director.

It's the European team championships, we don't get the

chance to come together and compete in this way, it's a big deal. I'm

really excited with that combination of those who've done it, some of the

people who've done it many times, and those who this is their first

opportunity at a senior level to show what they've got. It's a great

buzz. We looked at the calendar going forward, I spoke to the chief

executive an the chairmen and we said, you know, is it OK to look to,

in part, use the European Championships as a one-off, not

going into the future, as a kind of deelopmental type of event. We're

here to score as pane points as we can. We are here to finish as high

as we can. It's unusual to get the opportunity. But we're realistic. We

will know at the end of the competition. Denise, you sense there

from Neil's words that really quite a low priority this time around for

the European Athletics Team Champions. I think with a season

that is quite congested for the British athletes, it's a long

season. It's full. Commonwealth Games, swiftly followed by the

European Championships, you know, the European Athletics Team

Champions gets squashed. I think there are notable absentees making

the choice not to compete here, but that does give an opportunity for

the youngsters. We have 11 first-time senior caps for this

competition. It gives them an opportunity to get in the mix, to

feel what it's like rubbing against other British stars. Developmental,

yes, but at the end of the day, competition is competition and

athletes always are searching for the next level to step up to. Colin,

do you think this is the best competition to blood young athletes

in? Given the pressure we've talked about, you don't walk off the track

and say oh, well, that was a bad day. You feel bad because you've let

people down. It's a tough ask. It is, but as Neil said, they've got a

realistic vision of what can be achieved at these team

championships. If the hierarchy of British athletics make it clear to

the youngsters that we'd like you to perform to the best of your

abilities, but you're developing, you're building your whole career.

I'm not taking about one-off competitions, it's about careers.

When we have such a limited amount of time of such type of competition

at this level, then you can see how it's important to understand that

where these type of competitions fit in the ical en-- calendar. What was

your approach to this competition? Where it the European Athletics Team

Champions fit? As we can see, I done an event that wasn't my event at the

time. It was an opportunity for me to do a 400 metres at a high level

and try to produce a good time. That was the goal and that's what

happened on that day. Experience s, no matter whether they're good or

bad, are part of athletics. Have you to have them. So if the youngsters

don't quite get to their best, they will have to work out why. They will

work out whether they're overawed by the situation and they'll deal with.

It that's athletics. That's sport. It is so different from everything

else. Even as a top-level athletes, when you're competing in the

European Championships, you did feel different from everything else.

Athletes are tested. When it comes to someone like Jessica Judd last

year, it was a massive competition for her. She was up against some of

the best 800 metre runners at that time and she shone. That set up her

whole career and her own personal expectations. She knew what she was

doing, still doing exams, but she was enjoying athletics. She

realises, hang on, I can compete at this level. It made a huge

difference. Yeah, it gave her confidence as well. She went in

there feeling like, you know, these girls are older than me, stronger

than me, but Jess went on and delivered and she left them know she

was Jess and she wasn't playing that Not the day. Strongest British team

perhaps but plenty to look forward to. Here's what's coming up: Olympic

long jump champion Greg Rutherford leads the British challenge.

Scottishage let AelidhChild is in the 400 metre hurdles. Adam Gemili

and co are in the relay. And hear from the bright new star of British

athletics as she prepares for the Commonwealth Games.

Let's look at the time table. You can pick your favourites

Time for our first action now. It happened before we came on air, the

women's 100m. Rachael Johncock competing forking Great Britain --

competing for Great Britain. Steve Cram describes the action.

Johncock gets out of the blocks really well. The Russian in lane

three going well. Rachael Johncock leading for Great Britain. Johncock

is going to win it. Great run. Into a pretty strong headwind. She won't

be that bothered about the times. The two races are combined to give

the overall place. That's a good win for the lady who's going to be

representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games. Although the

time's not that quick, we can really only wait to see what happens in the

second race. That was a good race from Rachael Johncock. Yes, it was.

The women's sprinting scene in Britain at the moment is buoyant.

Johncock ranked only eighth nationally in the 100m so far this

season. Got away to a good start. The Russian was trying to go with

her at this stage. Surprising to see a Russian in the B race in this

event. Even she was outrun for second place by Busk of Sweden.

Rachael Johncock looked nervous before the start but had a delighted

smile by the end of it. Confirmation of the result into that very strong

head wind there. 11. 77 the time to beat from the

first race. Samuel in great form this year. It's a good start, assume

assume is the best out that's much quicker than the first

race. Soumare, who started the season pretty slowly had one or two

indifferent races. In the last couple of weeks she's coming to the

fore again. The French woman rounding nicely into good form this

year. 11. 18 was her best coming into this. All about maximum points

for France and she delivered them. Sailer lost that half a meter at the

start out of the blocks and never got it back. Once again, Samuel,

this talented youngster from the Netherlands, doesn't get a win.

Soumare looks good. Once she got away well, that 200 metre strength

we know so well from the past. She's a former European champion. She got

away well here as she did in Oslo, ten days ago, when she won there in

surprise fashion. No surprise here, though. She was forecast to win.

Strong from the start to the finish. Eventually Sailer run out of it in

the end by Samuel in second place. Confirmation of that winning time,

11. 35 seconds. Samuel much Confirmation of that winning time,

of her 22 years of age, 11. 12 seconds her lifetime best. No match

here for Soumare of France. That's a good win for one of the best of the

French athletes in a strong French team here over the next two days.

Interesting that yesterday there was a warm up race she ran fast, maybe

she should have gone in the 100, but maximum points for France.

Yes it's all about weekend, it's all about the team. If

you're new to the European Athletics Team Champions, here's

you're new to the European Athletics athletes to explain how it works.

The points system is pretty easy. 12 points goes to the team that wins

each event. 11 points for second place. Down to one point for

each event. 11 points for second place. But a disqualification for a

false start... place. But a disqualification for a

register ah, tloi or a jump... Means zero points for your team. Men's and

women's points are combined for a team score. The overall winner is

the team that scores the most points. Sprints and relays are

staged over two heats, with points decided on who runs the quickest

times. Middle and long-distance races are run as one straight race.

times. Middle and long-distance Every event and every athlete

matters. Because it's not about the number of events won, it's about the

number of points for the team. They have all learned their lines

very well!, statistician has been working through the night,

very well!, statistician has been working through the trying to fathom

how this might pan out. These are his projected schools.

Germany on home soil, lots of European champions for them. Russia

have won it for the last three or four years, since Germany won the

first one. Great Britain in fifth place.

What do you think? Colin? I knew you would start with me! It is the

European Team Championships, there will always be surprise performances

and people that do not live up to expectations. He has kind of got it

right, because the strength of the team is there or thereabouts. We

know Germany will be on home turf, they want to produce an outstanding

performance. Russia is always consistent. What will be interesting

is Poland, how they will fit in. They have not got the Commonwealth

Games, so this is a nice test to see where they fit in. Perry, last year,

was there a sheet of paper given out for all of the athletes to look at

with their projected schools? Locally, that stopped, because a

certain manager, the head coach had changed, so that added pressure

which is not needed, they had got rid of it. We just went out there

and we were told to enjoy it and do the best for the team. You mentioned

Charles, but it was not his idea. I remember back to the days of Frank

in the 80s. We all knew what we were expected to get. Reduced to have --

we used to know what was expected of us. If you were predicted a certain

amount of points, you knew you had to make a difference. That is all

you can do. Some people call it pressure, some people say... Charles

was about, 12 points for you, you must come away with 12 points. But

Neil has a different way, he has a different attitude. He looks at the

whole cycle, we are heading for the Olympics, we want to see the team

grow. I do not think it hurts to know where you are, because it can

only lift your morale, to say, I am better than that. During the years,

we have had some great performances in this meet. Over the course of the

weekend, we will look back at some of the finest moments.

There is no more determined athlete in world track and field running.

The crowd rises to a salute, an outstanding performance. The British

record is 14: 45, she was the just outside, but a wonderful run. Paula

Radcliffe wins the 5000 metres for Great Britain, and wins it

convincingly. Paula Radcliffe winning in Paris,

with commentary from David Coleman. We can head had to Braunschweig,

Paula Radcliffe is part of our commentary team. Your memories of

that race, Paula? Special memories, but is often seem to happen to me in

this meet, I remember going out into the 5000 metres knowing that I had

to get maximum points to give us a chance of staying up in the

competition. We have talked a lot about that pressure of expectation,

performing for the team, but Terry -- but Perry tells us they have

taken away the predictions. What do you make of that? Was it ever about

that? It is about going out and ensuring you give it your best shot

and that you do yourself justice and do the best that you can for the

team. Every athlete going out there is motivated to try to do that. They

know if they have performed above or below expectations. More so in a

team competition, when you perform below expectation, you feel it, and

you feel some response ability. Steve, this is a developmental team.

I do not know if you heard his interview, but he was low-key about

this as a competition. I agree with him, you have been making all the

relevant points about where this fits into a busy season, the chances

for some young names coming in, but the trials next week are important,

Commonwealth games selection has happened, and then the European

Championships. I fully agree with Neil, at the end of the year, we

will not look back on this competition with any great

relevance. Let's hope for a good weekend and see some good individual

performances and that we do as well as we can. Talking about this as a

stage for the young athletes, it is a unique pressure, is it an ideal

environment for blooding new talent? If you look at somebody like

Charlie Grice in the 1500, against a strong field, this is a good

opportunity for him to test himself in a tactical race, the sort of race

that would be a semifinal in a World Championships. If you look at it in

that sense, it is a great opportunity. I would not worry too

much and at times and distances, it is about letting people in this type

of environment. In some of those tactical races, they can learn a

lot. We will hear lots more from you over

because of the afternoon. The first live race will be the men's 400

meter hurdles, and in previous years, we have seen Britons come out

and get maximum points. Dai Greene is not here, it has been a tough

time for him. It has been traumatic. It is awful when you know you have

been doing very well, a lot It is awful when you know you have

confidence, winning titles, It is awful when you know you have

very fast, and then all of a sudden your body is letting you down. There

was one stage with him, he caught a virus, and that set him back. As

soon as it was clear, he ended up getting a hernia, and then it was

his hamstring, then his calves. Perry, you know this, the sense of

consistency is what you need, especially in this event, you need

to have the endurance work behind you and the technical stuff. He has

to have the endurance work behind suffered from the fact that he has

not been able to put the layers of the foundations on. Richard Yates

stepping in, a very good athlete in his own right, he will start very

well. Yes. I am surprised that Nile Flannery was not there. Maybe

training was more important for him. He has been running superbly, very

impressive performances. The lease, we may have seen a slightly stronger

team, had the trials been two weeks away, rather than a week away.

Absolutely, a lot of pressure to perform at the trials. We have seen

people that have been absent at the trials previously and not gain

selection, because they have not been there. There is an emphasis on

making sure you are there and ready, because nobody wants to leave

anything to chance that the selectors might have caused not to

pick you. This year in particular, athletes want to compete, it is part

of their preparation, so they are having to make the choices that suit

them, to make sure that they are ready, it is their programmes, they

have to schedule it correctly. The trials are for the European

Championships. If you were competing, what would your priority

be, the Commonwealth Games or the European Championships? I would not

prioritise, I would just want to win gold medals. If you are a world

junior athlete, you can not prepare for the European Championships, you

cannot do both, because of the timetable. You do have to make the

selections and you do have to make a choice, perhaps. I did both in both

years, and for a heptathlete, it is tough, but it is not easy. What

would your priority have been, Perry? I would want to do both. You

always want to have the opportunity to represent your country. I have

never done the Commonwealth Games. to represent your country. I have

did the Europeans in 2010, I did a surprise performance and came home

with a medal. I was shattered, so there was no Commonwealth Games for

me. I have missed it again this year. The European Championships

would be more important, but with the Commonwealth games being in

Glasgow, that is an incredible opportunity. For the people from the

smaller regions in the UK, representing Wales, it is very

important to us to be at the Commonwealth Games. There are

limited occasions when you can do that on a global stage. For me, it

was always important to get their and where the Dragon proudly. I was

lucky enough that I could win a gold medal. That meant a lot to the

country. That is why the Commonwealth Games was going to be

as important to me. Not just for the Welsh athletes, but Chris Tomlinson

has said that it is all about the Commonwealth Games. He will see what

he has got left once that has happened. I can understand that. You

have to make sure that you are ready. Once you have made the

decision, go for it. We set our first live action.

A chance to get off to a good start for the British team on the track

for Richard Yates. for the British team on the track

on the inside. Yoan Decimus for France. His lifetime best would take

him close to winning clear, in swirling, windy conditions.

Richard Yates ranked third in the UK at this stage of the season. He is

behind Flannery. As well as Rhys Williams. One of the biggest threats

here, Denis Kudryavtsev. Just 22, his lifetime best was set this

season, it is the fastest in the field in terms of lifetime bests.

This man upset by Green last year, beaten into second I Silvio

Schirrmeister of Germany. He is forecast to finish third in this

race, behind Denis Kudryavtsev and Richard Yates. On the outside, the

Czech Republic athlete. Six athletes in each of two races in all events

up to and including 400 metres, based largely on season best times.

Richard Yates, according to our statistician, should bring home in

11 points in second place for the British team, but can he step up on

that? Silvio Schirrmeister caused a shock by beating Dai Greene in

Gateshead last year. Richard Yates, 49.06 seconds, his lifetime best,

stretching back six years, to the run-up to the ageing Olympics, he

was unlucky not to be selected. He missed out in similar circumstances

for the World Championships last year.

They were held down for a long time, time for strong mind. Denis

Kudryavtsev outside Richard Yates. A slight stutter into the third hurdle

for Richard Yates. On his outside, the Russian athlete, who has gone

off quickly. Silvio Schirrmeister is also in

contention. Denis Kudryavtsev, the fastest on

form this season, justifying that. It is Denis Kudryavtsev who wins for

Russia, a huge cheer from the crowd for Silvio Schirrmeister in second

place. Richard Yates comes through in third place. Windy conditions,

that is a very impressive performance by the 22-year-old

Russian Denis Kudryavtsev. It promises more for the future. He

could be a real threat for the European Championships later in the

season if Dai Greene can get himself fit enough. Silvio Schirrmeister in

second place. Having relegated Dai Greene to that position a year ago,

a very strong performance by the young Russian, Denis Kudryavtsev. I

felt as though Rick didn't get into the race early enough. Down the back

straight, he stuttered into the third hurdle. The Russian got out so

quickly, Schirrmeister as well. He ran that big personal best against

Dai Greene. He saved his best for this race. Some names can be really

strong in the home straight. I thought he might have put the German

under more pressure. Rick is coming back into the sort of form to make

the European team. I think he'll be a little disappointed not to have

got in the top two there. The Russian good, very, very good, an

improving athlete. He will be a danger come the European

Championships in Zurich. It's maximum points for Russia. A little

down on what we would have expected. So confirmation of the win and time.

Well, there's no smile there, Rick. Third place finish. Talk me through

the race. Yeah, it wasn't my best race. My legs didn't really feel

they had the energy to kick on after hurdle five. It wasn't really a

competition I planned to do, so the main focus is for the Commonwealth

Games. Did you commit properly over the first 200? What would be your

analysis so soon after the race? Maybe not, no. I probably could have

gone out fasterment It's one of those things. -- gone out faster.

It's one of those things. It wasn't an amazing race for Due feel me. The

pressure, the first male on the track today? Of course, every time

you put on a Great Britain vest, there's pressure. You have to enjoy

it as well. These occasions don't come along too often, so yeah, it

was all right. Hi fun out there. I had fun out Well done there. Today.

The Commonwealth Games will be my aim, trials next week for Europeans,

so there's enough on the horizon. After trials I will need to go back

no a block of training, because we had to qualify for Commonwealths

early this year. A strange season. But, yeah, there's a lot to aim for

now for the rest of the season. Best of luck.

Thank you very much. Cheers. See you.

STUDIO: you.

there. Certainly disappointed I think with his performance. Yeah,

when you're marked down for a certain level of performance, which

was second place there, to slightly lose it and finish in third, can you

understand why he's a little disappointed. He will have been

looking at people maybe accusing him for not being there to represent

Great Britain. You always want to prove a point. With the 400m hurdles

they prefer a strong tail wind down the back straight so they can relax

and not fight into the wind. Unfortunately, here, I think because

we've seen it in the 100s, it's blustery. Can you go from a minus

two, that means there's a lot of head wind in your face here, the

final stage of the event or have it nearly still. A little bit the luck

of the draw, I think. It was a strong performance from the Russian.

We know he's young. He's exciting. He's enjoying his running. Its been

a flawless preparation for him, which is good to see. It makes it

difficult for our boys, though, going into the European

Championships. Because these people who are not at the Commonwealth

Games will be flying come the European Championships. I'm hoping

some of our guys won't be Reece Williams fatigued. Is the defending

champion. Talk about the win there and how difficult it is to hurdle in

the wind. How did you find it? You do not want wind when you're doing

hurdles. Especially 400m hurdles, the race is difficult as it is. So

having the wind, I mean, your hurdling is probably going to be a

bit messy. You'll be jumping up in the sky. You know you don't want to

be doing that. You will be stuttering to the hurdles. That's

another thing you don't want to do. The race was tougher for him than it

usually would be. Can you tell from his interview as well, he was asked

a certain question and he was somewhere else. I know the feeling.

When you get across the line, you're out of breath and it's tough. You're

somewhere else. He talked about not feeling he had it in his legs,

perhaps tightness because of the pressure? Maybe. You just don't know

again where the athletes are in their preparation. He said he's had

to qualify early for the Commonwealth Games. That means he

had to get sharp at the beginning of the season. He might be coming off

quite a heavy training block. Those things you have to take into

account, but you see by his attitude there that he was very disappointed

and obviously, with your body doesn't respond when you need it to,

it's just a horrible feeling. That should be a great event to watch in

the trials next weekend. It's on the BBC. Now men's 100m shortly, Danny

Talbot is going for Britain. We will look at what was an amazing

This took us all by surprise. I This took us all by surprise. I

think it's fair to say. He ran well in the heat, 10. 19 in the heats to

qualify for this final. Lock how his performance, it's a really mature

performance. He took on Richard Thompson from Trinidad and Tobago

who is a quality sprinter. He's gone under 9. 9 on many occasions. What

he glanced over, when he saw the winning time was sub-ten and

realised how close he was to Richard, he must have thought, "I

could have gone under ten seconds." A really exciting time and I hope he

can back that up with more sub-ten performances. Good conditions, under

the ten. You never You've seen know. These guys training, doing your

rehab, what was the buzz like after he ran that? He's been exciting down

at Lee Valley. A lot of media interest. You will see him strutting

his stuff. It's good. Hopefully he will repeat that performance. When

it does matter as well. It's good and well run gooding times but you

need to performance when it -- perform when it really matters.

Absolutely, next weekend... It really matters. With the trials. He

hasn't been selected for the Commonwealth Games. That performance

came afterwards. We will talk about that later. Yeah, the Europeans for

him, all his eggs in one It real basket. Ly is. It's exciting.

British men's sprinting and the women's very exciting. I'm really,

I'm looking forward to the trials. I think a lot of people, for the first

time in a long time, we can be sitting there thinking, which one of

these young pretenders are going to reign supreme? Because any one of

them could. He's looking good. It's the first time I've seen him run.

He's tidy. He looks strong. CJ as he's called to his friends and to us

now, he's coached by the coach of Greg Rutherford. It was a little bit

of a surprise when Rutherford announced he would be coached by

this coach. Here's Greg's thoughts. He's a very, very special athlete.

Somebody that, well, I see day in, day out. Around him as well, we have

Sean and Tobias an a load of other young guys who are pushing each

other in every training session they're doing. Because of that

they're running exceptionally fast. What CJ has done at 9. 96 is out of

this world and 20 years of age. What CJ has done at 9. 96 is out of

doing things that a lot of people would expect talented young people

to do, but for whatever reason not from Britain. We're building a

generation of top sprinters, himself, Adam and others doing well.

From my point of view, in the group, what a brilliant place to turn up

and train with. It's one of the best sprint groups in the country that my

old bones get to run against and still maintain some of my speed. So,

it's a great training aid, a great environment to be in and all

surrounded with a fantastic young coach, who is doing a really stellar

job, really good job. Yeah, Jonas an early contender for Coach of the

Year. 9. 96 for Ujakpor and -- Ujay and 8. 51 for Rutherford. Greg has

hit the nail on the head, what a stellar year he's had. It's good to

see. All of us really know the importance of having a good, strong

group who all have the same objectives in mind and have good

ambition. If you have that and you're rubbing shoulders on a daily

basis, it can only elevate your performances. We're seeing that.

There isn't, would you say there's a lot of support for the young coaches

coming up through the system? I mean, it just seems to me that he's

managed to Val vannise -- galvanise, he's doing great things, but not

many people have heard of him. He's still building his way. I hope he

can maintain this form with his athletes because it very much is a

two-way process. Athlete does well and the coach gets recognise. He

goes We mention on. Ed that Commonwealth Games selection for the

sprint, which is controversial. We can look now at who has been

selected for the England Commonwealth Games sprint team.

Perhaps James Ellington the only one who might go for the European

Championships wa. Do you make of the selections? Danny as well is

selected in the 200m. He won a bronze medal at the European

Championships in 2012. That championships remember was hid an

way because of the London Olympics. For Danny to come back with a medal

at the European Championships was important, it announces you on an

international stage yet again. I think there's a maturity in some

ways, but it's a strange selection, when you look at it and thinking,

gosh they've left some of the real speed merchants behind, which is

going to be interesting next week at the trials. I think Ujay missed the

selection deadline. His 9. 96 came after. By a week. James is flying in

training, supposedliment I don't want to say anything. Gemeli saying

he's going well. The Jamaicans are holding off their selection. Why not

England hold off as well? I would have liked to have seen a different

selection, but obviously the selection date is set. It's already

been announced on the calendar months ago. But you look forward and

see the calendar and see it's busy. Maybe we should give our athletes

the maximum opportunities, time, in order to qualify for the

Commonwealth Games. It hasn't gone that way this year. There are some

athletes that are frustrated out there that would have liked a little

bit more time, so you can group your training when you're actually at

your peak, which is mid-season. You want to be at your best towards the

mid-season and pre-championships. If you've been injured, and the

selection has gone, you've got no chance. Sometimes it feels with

selection policy it's the cart before the horse, it's more about

the policy than the athlete. Absolutely. It has been quoted that

they've made the selection for administrative purposes because it's

a big team. I just think that's really not what you want to hear.

You want to be thinking - we are doing what we can to make sure we

take the best English or British team, no matter where you are,

forward. It hasn't quite worked out that way. But most of the it, I

think is OK. The selection is right. The team is good. But with 100m, I

think they might have, may get it wrong. The man running the 100m here

is Danny Talbot. Let's hear from him now. My training is going really

well. When training is going well, you want to race well. Fortunately

I've been lucky to be in good races and have nice conditions and put

down some fast times. I've been able to run personal bets. I'm looking

forward to this weekend -- personal bests. It's a great chance to enjoy

it and try to go along with everyone else. Last weekend when CJ ran

amazing, I think the day before people were running well in the

British league, I kind of knew on Monday, I had a good feeling that

British league, I kind of knew on there was going to be - I could

carry on the good momentum from everyone else. When everyone's

running well, everyone just lifts their performance. Hopefully we can

do that this weekend and go into the trials and the trials will be good

for everyone. I don't feel any extra pressure to run faster, just try to

enjoy it and go with everyone else. I love the way the athletes try to

play it down. "I don't feel any pressure to run fast." You know he's

scared on the line, don't you! Of course, you want to run well. I

mean, when you see competitors running well, especially, I mean,

talk about on the English stage as well and the world-class stage, it

is a kick up the bum. You need to get your act together. When I am on

the line against them, I'm going to put you to the test. That is the

attitude you should have. It's good, when you see other people doing

well, it is added pressure. You're thinking, oh, especially if you

haven't run as fast, I start questioning Chris. I remember one

time, I think me and Elidh ran 55 seconds and I hadn't done that at

that time. I looked at Chris and said, "What are we going to do? We

had to push each other. It's good. It's healthy, competitive. Denise,

for Danny, it's a big opportunity, double edged, if he doesn't run

well, going into the trials next weekend, even more pressure. It is

important for him to maintain momentum. He's ran well over 200

already this year. He's been selected for the Commonwealth Games.

He will want to do well at the trials. Yes, he has to keep

building, keep focusing and not get overwrought. He has been doing good

training, he is in good shape, just compete and make the most of it.

Let's head back to Braunschweig. Done at all but going in the second

heat. It is a tough hate for him, these

Jimmy Vicault will start as the are the faster athletes.

Jimmy Vicault will start as the favourite. Martin Keller has one --

has run 10.2 recently. They are all pretty well matched. This athlete

has run 10.19. The wind reading has been considered to be suspect. So I

are not sure how much I believe that time. Jimmy Vicault has been in

sparkling form, he ran even quicker than that in

sparkling form, he ran even quicker races. He will be a big threat. No

Christophe Lemaitre here, a thigh injury has pulled him out of the 200

metres. Danny Talbot, he is only the sixth fastest in the UK. But he

metres. Danny Talbot, he is only the very quick at 200, he ran a good

time in Prague recently. The 200 is his better event. A fast race in

Salamanca last week for the Spaniard, 34 years of age. A pretty

startling performance. And Martin Keller of Germany. Many of these

athletes went off to the Hamas for the world relay challenge that was

held in May, a big success that was, the Germans finished in seventh

place. Martin Keller run in that event. Incidentally, the first race

with the slower athletes was run in 10.46 by the Dutch athlete. The

Polish athlete was just behind him. It is not just how you finish, it is

how quick you run. The wind does change around, and in the first

race, it was a slight headwind, -0.3. But it has been picking up,

dropping, moving around, so it could affect the times here. Jimmy Vicault

the favourite is in lane three, Danny Talbot next to him in lane

four. Away smartly. Not too bad a start

from Danny Talbot. A clear win for Jimmy Vicault, Danny Talbot gets

second place. I said the wings would be a factor, it switched round again

to help the athletes. No doubt about the winner, but well done, Danny

Talbot. Although he was a good few metres behind the Frenchman, that is

to be expected. I issue me times will mean that he will finish second

overwrought. Jimmy Vicault will be a threat, all of the talk about the

rest of the British athletes heading towards the Europeans, this guide

will be hard to beat. In superb form, as he was in the recent

Diamond League race in Oslo, very strong from the start. Danny Talbot

picked up in the second half and came through to be a clear-cut

second place. The place he was predicted to finish in, 10.304 Danny

Talbot. Jimmy Vicault a class apart, he will take all the beating come

the European Championships later in the year, and food for thought for

all of the British sprinters. Jimmy Vicault in terrific form. I saw him

in Oslo alongside call the race, he was looking very confident, he spent

a long time talking to the legendary American. He was easing down, that

could have been a sub ten second run. That gets combined with the

result from the first race, it means that the 10.30 four Danny Talbot

will confirm him in second place, that is a good result. Jimmy Vicault

very good indeed. We can have a chat with Danny Talbot.

Yes, you were predicted second place overall, job done. Yes, I am really

pleased to get some points. It is an honour to where the vest, so to do a

job for the team and to get a viewpoint is great. What were your

thoughts on the start line? Jimmy Vicault has been in superb form. I

did not really think that much. I have raced Adam Gemili a few times,

he is as good as Jimmy. Which are in a great position, we can raise

people of that calibre week in, week out, so it helps us, we are used to

racing really fast guys. It was not too bad. You talk of Adam Gemili,

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, they did not take the opportunity, but you did.

Why? It is another Great Britain vest. I started the sport to run for

Great Britain, so I will take any opportunity. Later on, the relay?

Hopefully, the guys can get it round. We have got six guys out

here, so whoever is on the start line will do a great job. We showed

we are capable of mixing it with those guys, so whichever for run

later on, I do not see that we cannot win. Disappointed with the

time? Probably. Time has never really concerned me. He had said

that I would finish second behind Jimmy Vicault, that is what I was

predicted, so the time is irrelevant, it is just good practice

for the UK Championships. Well done. We will catch up with some early

field event action. Real pressure for the world champion

from 2009. She has had two failures on her first two attempts, she has

run through on both occasions. Massive moments.

No commitment whatsoever. The nightmare scenario from 2012 has

come back to haunt her again. She failed on her opening height in

London, 4.45, and here she has been ambitious a game, choosing not to

come in until 4.40. No prospect of any points for the World

Championship gold medallist from Berlin.

Lots more action to come, but we will focus on an athlete who is not

there but who is the British athlete of the year so far, Katrina Johnson

Thomson, world indoor silver medallist, and for her, it is next

stop, Glasgow. So many people so excited about the

prospects for her career. Who knows what the future holds for her?

I was really focused on getting to the Olympics, it was a

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I was 19, the heptathlon is a strong

event, you cannot afford any weaknesses, so to get there was a

huge achievement. But then I realised I wanted to do it as a

career. I had -- I could not compete in the pent-up run indoors, I was

working on single events, I was getting personal bests, so

working on single events, I was bit worried, coming into the outdoor

season, that I was not going to progress. It is my first

heptathlon, but it all went to plan. It all happened very quick. I

surprised myself in the way that I won, but in certain events I was

disappointed, especially the hurdles.

It is going to be very interesting in Glasgow, because the Canadian was

leading every event, I was always catching her up. Now that I have

beaten her, she will be training really hard, I am sure she is going

to come back better. The dream for Glasgow will be to hopefully achieve

my dreams and come away with the gold medal. I am aiming for a medal,

preferably the gold! I have never been a favourite in a senior event.

I do not know how I will cope with it, I am not thinking about it,

because I have got more competitions today. I

because I have got more competitions competition like I always do, it is

anyone's to take, if you are a favourite or not.

anyone's to take, if you are a It has been some year so far. We

have watched it all unfold. But become position into context -- put

the competition into context. It has housed the

the competition into context. It has athletes, for many years. Outside of

the athletes, for many years. Outside of

biggest collection of combined events. It is a slick operation, it

is well organised, and it is revered as a composition. If you go there,

you are in what feels like the home of combined events, it is fantastic.

I love competing in there. What she did was completely amazing,

I love competing in there. What she by such a young person. I chatted to

I love competing in there. What she her in the studio in Moscow after

she had finished in fifth place, we talked about her potential, did you

expect her to progress in the way that she has in the last

expect her to progress in the way months? No. With heptathlete,

expect her to progress in the way athletes, you do not know when there

is going to be the big athletes, you do not know when there

I expected a bit more of a plateau this year, just to consolidate, but

she has ripped up the form and said, I am on a chain, I am going places,

she had a personal best indoors, I am on a chain, I am going places,

got the world silver medal in the long jump, and she went and got a

got the world silver medal in the new personal best. Let's talk about

some of those personal bests this year, 1.96 high jump, a British

record, she has jumped 6.81 indoors, 22.89 4200. That is what you

appreciate the most! That is better than mine! I need to work on my

200! Very impressive. Some interesting statistics for you to

look at, it is about the progression from junior to senior. Jessica

Ennis's improvement... Denise Lewis was obviously a late developer!

If you added Jessica Ennis's improvement to Katrina, she would be

the world record-holder. Never put a ceiling on an athlete's

performances. We say that tongue in cheek, but the performances she is

delivering now, why not? We know how supreme the world record-holder was,

her statistics were very impressive. I remember her setting

the Olympic long jump record during the heptathlon, she launched herself

over 7.30. You can see what type of athlete she was. Why not? Katrina

should be focusing on that, she should be thinking, I will improve

each performance. She could be the first British woman to jump two

metres. She could be the first British woman to go over seven

metres on a regular basis for the long jump. Why not? She is young,

with ambition and drive, and already performing, watch this space.

She is well ahead of both Jessica and Denise. All right! This is what

I have to deal with! I thought I was good then! You were good! You were

not as good as you thought! In all seriousness, you know this isn't

better than anybody, what do you think is her potential? There is

still so much more. You talk about jumping over seven metres, I think

she can do that now. She had a file which was marginal, but close to

seven metres. She absolutely can. She said she was disappointed with

the hurdles, there is a massive improvement to be made, because she

has a good speed, and good speed in Durex. She is strong. I would not be

surprised if we see her put on another 150 points. That would take

her very close to 6800 performances, and now we are talking a serious

school. Those throws, she has a lot to gain. Yes, and you know she's

talked about how difficult she finds the shot putt in the past, but she's

improving. She's got the long levers. She's going back to what we

have said, the former heptatheletes looked like, tall and rangy, until

Jess flipped that on the head. But she has that. She will have reach,

good range, bit like Carolina Kluft, I can see her as she gets stronger

putting serious markers down. She's the complete package. The next event

is the men's 400. Tell us about what sort of shape Daniel will be in?

It's great to see Daniel in the team, considering he was doing

decathlon and now he's a 400m runner. Talking about the change

from decathlon to 400 metres, that's a substantial change. We've seen

AshtonEaton, but to go for a flat four. It's not that different, but

mentally, you have to change your outlook to hurt him, basically, all

the time. Was it a decision caused by injury, or did he not have the

motivation for all ten I know events? Daniel had an injury to his

knee. He will share his experience of his knee injury that he went

through. I'm going through something similar. He makes sure that I'm

getting this kind of treatment and stuff, how's the leg getting on? You

lose your muscle mass with a major injury like I've had. He checks up

on me. It's nice to have someone who's been through such a trauma,

able to share his experience was me. The athletes at the blocks.

COMMENTATOR: One by one, they're being introduced to the crowd here.

Daniel Awde is in lane seven. He missed most of last year because

this afternoon knee injury. A tough task here, predicted to finish in

fifth place. We go through the athletes in lane four is Omelko of

Poland. In lane five, one of the most talented youngsters on the

European scene, the European junior champion over this distance,

Ivashko. From Russia. Last year's e-French champion. The national

championships yet to happen in France. On the outside, 25-year-old

Daniel Awde, fifth all time on the UK decathlon rankings and now, in

effect, mounting his second career, his lifetime best set this year. It

-- It would be good enough, we suggest, for fiveth place here. The

previous heat was won by Agard. As far as Awde is concerned, it's not

previous heat was won by Agard. As just his position here, it's about

his time as well to determine his overall ranking and how many points

he collects for the British team. Four British athletes in the

European top ten this season, but none of them are here, not even for

the re-lay. Feeds into the debate we've been having in the studio

about what sort of shape the team should be for an event like this.

Awde on the outside for the men's 400m.

And they're away on his inside is Anne of France. He's gone Ofstedily.

Quick -- onoffsteadily. -- goneoffsteadily. Ivashko on the

outside is running strongly, trying to clear himself now from Ann in

second place. Awde is in contention as they come in towards the home

straight here. This is a strong run. Gaba quickens. Now he takes the

lead. It's Gaba with coming through strongly in second place and

sweeping in towards the lead is Ivashko. He is being challenged by

Anne. Ivashko loses his stride in the closing stages. Anne takes it.

Awde held on to take a wonderful third place. 45. 71 seconds is the

winning time for Anne of France. Daniel Awde will have run close to

his lifetime best, holding on strongly in the closing stages for

third place, as athletes were faltering all around. Ivashko almost

fell on the run to the line, having just taken the lead about 30 or 40

metres from the line. Gaba of Germany led into the home straight.

It's a win for France. Another win on the track after an impressive run

by Soumare earlier in the day. Ivashko, there, knows that he lost

his form in the closing stages, when the race was there for the taking.

It's really interesting. Daniel Awde did well. Not much choice in lane

seven in. Lane draws here have nothing to do with your form

beforehand. It's just the way the luck goes. Gaba did attack hard

through the first 200. Awde had to go out quite hard and judge today

pretty well. He could have been forgiven for fading in the hole

straight. When Anne came through, he responded well. Watch Ivashko,

that's what the 400m is all about, talk about jelly legs, lactic acid

dissolving his legs in the end there. Just about made it across the

line. Good performance from Daniel Awde. He could have easily faded in

the home straight. He hung on well. Strong in the last 50 metres.

When you take into account the Polish athlete finishing in fourth

place, we heard Rugowska failing to record a point. There's maybe 12

lost for the Poles. The overall standings: A very impressive win for

Does the bar stay on? currently in second place. One fail

our at 4. 45. The technical rules halted here. Four failures total are

our at 4. 45. The technical rules all that are permitted. Look at

that, really clattered the bar. But it stay as board.

4. 55 is the clearance. She is in first place. Only one failure. An

impressively clean card to this points.

The athlete remaining in contention in the women's pole vault. Svobodova

from the Czech Republic, this is her second attempt at 4. 55. These are

the only two athletes remaining in the competition. They

silver, remember. That was the 2014 championships this

year. It's another duel between the two of them. She is clear. She's

over at the second attempt at 4. 55. She remains in contention. Punching

way above her weight according to the predictions. Season's best at 4.

55, she's in second place. There you can see the team standings. A couple

of good results with Great Britain see us level with Russia on points.

( It's a good crowd here, particularly

in the home straight. The next event is the women's 800m.

Jenni Meadows going for Great Britain in this. Made the world

final in the indoor champions, ran very well there. Sixth place there.

Verstegen will be difficult as well. Great performance to take the Silver

Medal in front of her home crowd. Kohlmann goes for Germany. On the

outside Meadows shares the lane with Koyuncu of Turkey.

Jenni has won this event in the past, not with 12 teams in it, when

it was just the European Cup, in the old days. Really just Jenfy trying

to -- Jenny trying to find her form again. There were 15 in one race and

she finished ninth in that event. She's been there or there abouts.

Let's see what she can do here. Two laps of the track as ever,

tactics very much come into play here. Meadows has gone out hard. I

tactics very much come into play would be surprise today we didn't

see her near the front on the this first lap. The Frenchwoman coming

across, now they all just look at each other and see who wants to take

it on from here. Just got to be careful. Jenny Meadows tucking into

the pack. Now Meadows just moving a little bit closer to the front which

I'm happier to see. Yes, Jenny is very experienced in races like this.

It is unusual to see this many athletes out there on the track in

an 800m race, especially where there are no pace makers, obviously, being

a team championships situation. They need to just settle into a tactical

race. Jenny very good at getting herself in the right position at the

right time. We might be having problems with Paula's mic there,

apologies for that. Meadows is in a good position. She needs to hold

that there. It will be difficult to see where - you can predict where

the dangerer is coming from. There are so many good runners in here.

the dangerer is coming from. There Poistogova is on the inside. Jenny

is in a good position. They go down the back straight. This is anyone's

race at the moment. Just over 200m to go. Jenny struggling for a bit of

pace at the minute. Masna on the inside as well. Lyakhova the first

to strike. Lyakhova is going away. Here comes the Russian on the

outside. She was the favourite to win this. She's going to get there.

Poistogova has left it very late. She is going to take the victory.

Russia get maximum point. Lyakhova hangs on. A disappointing run there

for Jenny Meadows. I don't think this is the sort of race which, at

this stage of Jenny's comeback, is going to suit her. A good good hard

races -- the good, hard races she's OK with. Goodness me she played a

canny game as they say in my part of the world, hung on and waited for

the gap to appear, had a lot of confidence in her kick in the home

straight. I hope your mic is working this time, and time today perfectly.

That was a messy race. I think you needed to hold your nerve. As they

were coming around the top, before the straight, the wind raz really --

was really strong. Jenny was going backwards at that stage. Poistogova

time today perfectly and was going away. The only one who was full of

running in the final 50 m or so. away. The only one who was full of

Everyone else can hear you apparently, except the rest of the

commentary team, whatever you said it was brilliant. Really close for

second. It was have been - you say about the French team, Lamote would

not have been considered to get in the top three. But if they keep

putting in performances like that one, that's going to

putting in performances like that cause. Meadows, it will be

interesting to see, she will be disappointed not to do well in races

like this. positions and points. There is

always a smile on your face. I got myself in a good position, it is

swirling, so I almost got to the front and thought, I am really

small, I do not want to take on the wind. I did not do much wrong, but

50 metres before the 600, I missed the break. A few girls went past me,

which I was annoyed out. But during the home stretch, I was really

strong, I have not been strong so far this season, so I am

disappointed that I never brought home better points for the team, it

is not about times or just personal result, but I finished strongly,

which I was pleased about. It about getting the competitive instinct, I

will learn from that race. Yesterday, you said, I always feel

like I am on a comeback. Yes, I had done for races back-to-back in the

outdoor season, which is really great, I am getting used to the

emotions again. On the start line, I was thinking, this will happen. I am

back in the mix, hoping that little from here. You have been selected

for England for the Commonwealth Games, what are your other ambitions

for the year? Next week, we have got the UK Championship 's, which will

be very competitive. I would love to get a place in the European team.

But really, just to do myself justice. Training is going really

well, I am not race fit, tactics, I am pausing quite a lot and not

making decisions quickly, so I want to make sure that I can get the

times that I do in training on the track next. Can you get back to your

best? I would love to. Sometimes, you take things for granted, but I

would love to do under two minutes, that would be a big achievement. If

I can do that a couple of times and make a couple of finals, that would

be brilliant. Well done. Very considered answers from Jenny.

She was disappointed with the points, but you sense she took a lot

out of that race. When you have missed a lot of training and been

injured repeatedly for so many years, you are constantly searching

for something that is going right, and she says her training is going

well. She put herself in a great position to be in contention. What

is missing, when you have been injured, is the trust in the

decision-making, can I attack now, can I put my foot down? You are

hesitant. That only comes through competing more, and then you

re-evaluate after your competitions. Perry, you are going through your

own injury hell. Jenny has been through a really tough time. It is

great to see her back and starting to get back to something like her

best. Yes, that is what I have been told by other athletes, when you do

come back, even coaches have said it, do not expect to be at your

best, it will take a lot of time and races and watching the likes of

Jenny, she has run superbly in the past, and it will come. It will take

patience and trust in her coach and trainers. I will have to look

forward to that. Not look forward to it, but prepare myself mentally. As

soon as you step on the track, you almost feel like your old self, but

it is still so far away. It is great to see her running, she gives the

team a real boost, as you will be. We will talk about that more later.

Let's stick to Paula Radcliffe for her thoughts. You have heard

Jenny's interview, there was a sense of encouragement about her

performance in what she said. Yes, I did not hear her interview, but from

her this year, what we have seen is she has been getting herself out

there in the right position, putting herself in the right place and

getting to that point, where she is waiting around 200 metres out. The

power and confidence still have to come back. The strength in the final

stages of the race is not quite there, she drifted back a bit here

today. But it will come. It is about waiting for that to come. It is

there, it is not quite coming through yet. You have had a lot to

do with her, you have been a support to her through her horrific winter

with injury. Yes, she struggled through the winter. Mentally as well

as physically, it hit her hard. She came off the back of a good summer,

which started really well, and then she was hanging on in Moscow and the

World Championships, she went into the winter looking to put a good

base down, and she picked up the injury. But she put a good winter

together, and now her team are trying to hold her back so she can

come in to form later in the season, because this is a long season. It is

what we are starting to see click. I guess she needs to make sure she

does not run out of steam because she has missed so much work. I do

not think there is much danger of that, she has put the work in and

put the base down. It is more about keeping her confidence high, because

she has not started the season as strongly as she did last year, but

she needs to believe she has it in the tank. The strength will show

towards the end of the season, she will keep building, which is

watching once per day. This is the women's 3000 metres. Watch out for

Kate a very. Again, it is all about the points.

It will be difficult for her, we saw two good athletes there, Sifan

Hassan is having a good season for the Netherlands. Next to her, Renata

Plis, who will have some high expectations from her Polish team. I

am not sure she is running all that well this year. We also have Nuria

Fernandez. 37 years of age, interesting to see how she performs.

And the winner from last year. She beat the British athlete. A bit of

continuity between the British athletes, because Kate a very is

close to Laura. The danger for the likes of Kate,

she will be happy if this race is at a better place. She is not a 1500

metres specialist. Anybody who takes this out, she will be happy.

Definitely, she would prefer to see an honest race, rather than a

tactical run. First off, the French athlete has gone to the front, she

is having a really good breakthrough year, she finished her university

studies and has knuckled down. She won the European cup 10,000 metre

race. She ran a big personal best, 31.54, something like that. She is

wanting to keep this moving along at a decent pace. She is keeping it

going, but I do not think she is making any huge effort here. Into

the wind, they bunch up a bit more. If you do take it on, you are taking

on the conditions as well. It is swirling around. This will not be

too disappointing for Kate Avery. The Russian, most of the Russians

have not done much so far this season. You will have your own

thoughts on that. It is not something we always want to point

out, but so many Russian athletes, especially women, have been taken

out for doping offences, which is a good thing, it has had them hard.

Over the years, so many good performances for the Russian

distance athletes. The women's triple jump. The French

competitor. Not going to trouble believers. A disappointing effort.

That looks like my triple jump! Talking about athlete competing in

events to make up the points, and sometimes athletes do a job for

their country and either they are not 100%... We saw Jimmy Vicault win

the 100 metres, and after the race, he did not just ease up, he said he

felt his hamstring go. He is a bit worried about it. He said, I have

got to go to see the team doctor. British sprinters will keep an eye

on that. This is the start list for the discus. Indeed. The Frenchwoman

fancied to take maximum points. A real excellent combination thrower

for the Germans. She is a late replacement for Nadine Muller. How

about that for a start? The change came relatively late. Nadine Muller

is the premier performer, she is stepping up. 2012 World Junior

Championship in the shot put, the youth Olympic champion in the

discus. Personal best, 65.38, which she said earlier this year. That

will make a real impact. First place in the early stages of the

competition. We will be interrupting the distance

races to keep you up-to-date with the field. The Frenchwoman is

leading this. Jimmy Vicault might have a hamstring problem, that might

affect his progress. The German is second, the Russian 's third, and

behind her, Sifan Hassan. We thought she would be the favourite, 3000

metres is well in the comfort of her, the type of season she is

having. She has got the pace to take on anything. She will be the one for

all of them to worry about. Absolutely. With the 3000 metres, it

is not a championship event, but we see it a lot in competitions like

this. You get the 5000 metres, the 10,000 metres athletes, jointed take

the sting out of the 1500 metre runners. Sifan Hassan will be the

big danger, she is happy to just sit there. Here is the French athlete,

the defending European teams and, Melina Robert-Michon. She has

the defending European teams and, hold of it. Such a long outstanding

the defending European teams and, competitor for France. She finally

got herself some global success in Moscow last summer, emotional scenes

after that. She has really caught a hold of that one, after a foul in

the opening round. She has reeled in the German. She goes into the lead.

Two laps to go in the women's 3000 metres, and a good pace set ID

Frenchwoman. This is close metres, and a good pace set ID

macro's personal best. Dash-mac Kate Avery's personal best. The

Frenchwoman is doing what you might expect. Take it out hard, try to

make them work, but Kate Avery is doing a great job. We have already

lost three athlete of the back of this group, look at Sifan Hassan,

she is itching to get going. Kate Avery is still in with every

opportunity to get some good points for Britain. 500 metres to go, Sifan

Hassan moving out, she looks very comfortable. She does not do a huge

amount very quickly. Then, she put her foot down to the floor. Kate

Avery has got to dig in, they have all started to dig in and push on.

Kate Avery has got to try and hang on and pick one of them off. She

finds herself back in ninth place. Sifan Hassan, as expected, kicking

away. She is in superb form. She ran really well in the 800 in Ostroff.

Look at the damage she is doing. The Russian has no answer. None of them

anywhere near her. She moved to Holland a good few years ago, she

won in front of her home crowd, she went to school in Holland when she

first moved there, she is becoming quite a big name there. Really

dominant on the last lap. Maximum points for the Dutch team, they will

need that if they are to stay in the top league. Russia take second. Wow.

Kind of like Mo Farah last year, remember in Gateshead, when he took

off in the 5000m? Hassan doing the equivalent of the that. That's

impressive. I was about to say that. That was very reminiscent of Mo's

last lap. He really went on the line. But she was very, very

impressive there. 58-second last lap, really did make the others look

like they were in a completely different race. It really mess aid

little bit with their heads almost, going into that and probably

accounted for the strange results that besaw and the way the field was

blown apart there. There you see Shmidt coming in for Ukraine, who is

really struggling and Shmidt coming in for Ukraine, who is

the points for her team. Quite a few athletes getting decent times. The

thing about the 3,000, many athletes can't get on the big 3,000 on the

Diamond League circuits. Hassan certainly could do if she wanted to.

I reckon she could run a pretty fast 3,000 m. Korobkina held on for

second. Fernandez did well to come in third. Plis faded. Calvin faded

towards the end as well. As you said, when you get this mix, the

1500m runners, you have to say 800m runner as well, it just stands out

when you have that sort of pace to burn. That makes the others look

rather pedestrian in the end. I'm waiting for Kate Avery's result to

come up. It may be a personal best. Calvin of France was in seventh. I

think Kate Avery may be rewarded with a couple of seconds off her

personal best. Indeed she has. If nothing else, she can't argue with

that. She has come here and run a personal best. Always going to trug

well speed, though, Kate. -- struggle.

It's back to the discus, into the second round, Strokova. She gives a

big roar as she lets it go. That will be an improvement. Strokova

predicted for third position, so ten points for the Russian team. A

season's best and a personal best of 65. 78, that came in Moscow.

She's sixth on the world list this year. She improved. She remains in

third place. Onto the triple jump. Looks to be

similar to what she produced earlier on. It won't be an impact on the

lead. Swirling conditions down there on the triple jump runway. Just

looking at the readings. One moment it can be a head wind. The next

minute a powerful tail wind. Athletes having to contend with

that. Fourth position. That's still her best effort.

You get an idea of how blustery the conditions are. You see the

officials' flags fluttering in the wind. Just preparing for her jump

will be germ nip's representative, Elbe. Huge support from the crowd

here in Braunschweig. A personal best this season of 14. 20,

currently in third position in her final attempt. Only the top four

will receive an additional attempt. They go in reverse order. So this is

Elbe's fourth and final effort. 14. 01 is her best to this point.

Can she improve? She lost her balance and stands in frustration

because that won't be any improvement. Predicted nine points

then, fourth position. She has punched exactly at her weight.

Fourth position for Elbe and congratulations. She's done a good

job for the team. Bronze medallist in 2009 at the junior championships.

Translated to the under-23 rankings with a fourth-place finish in the

European under-23 champions in 2011. Anguish on that last effort. 14. 01

remains her best. You get the idea of how the wind changed direction.

Producing, as predicted. Now Saladukha, the reigning World

Championship bronze medallist. Survived the pressure she placed

herself under after producing two fouls on the first two jumps.

Produced a really impressive 14. 33. Just have to wait, confirmation to

see what the distance is. Eighth on the world list this year. 14. 32

coming in, a lifetime best of 14. 99. That terrific, rangy stride has

carried her to so much podium success. How about that, definitely

not touching the plasticine, that's such a cause of controversy. Greg

Rutherford produced that jump, plasticine in effect here. 14. 33 is

her best effort, third place. The highlights of day one of these

European Athletics Team Champions has been that 3,000 m championship

record from Hassan of the Netherlands. Plenty more besides.

Here's what you've missed. Got to love the music, in the men's

100m, Danny Talbot of Great Britain came second taking 11 points. He

really is the one to beat, the Frenchman, come the European

Championships in August. The men's 400m, former decathlete

Daniel Awde performed above expectation, finishing third, taking

ten points. And still to come: expectation, finishing third, taking

Eilidh Child is going for maximum points in the women's 400m.

Hurdles, even! Alongside us Perri Shakes-Drayton, who was the captain

last year in Gateshead. She had a horrible injury in Moscow, that's

why she's here. Before we chat about that. Here's some of the ups and

downs of your career. Great run from Perri Shakes-Drayton,

who I think will have smashed her personal best. Perri Shakes-Drayton

still on a learning curve, only 20 years old. She's a precocious youth

in terms of her athletic talent and it's now really beginning to shine.

It's gold for Britain in the women's 4 X 400m relay. 53. 78, any doubt

about her form are totally gone. Only two fastest losers will make it

through to the final. That means Perri Shakes-Drayton is out. She

wins it in a superb time! She hits that hurdle and she was broken.

I'm emotional. Yeah, absolutely. Because you've been through a lot,

haven't you, in a fairly short space of time. You just compose yourself

for a second, Denise, I will come to you. That's athletics. It's a great

reflection of life and you have to pick yourself up through the

disappointments as well as take the good times. It's tough. It's a tough

sport. Sometimes I don't believe that we get the recognition, the

athletes don't get the recognition that they deserve. They put

themselves on the line. Perri was having the most glorious time. She

was coming into her own really. We'd seen her majestic over the hurledles

and -- hurdles and then setting the flat four alight with personal bets

indoors, outdoors, it was fantastic. Then I don't know, it shows the

measure of the young lady, because that injury in Moscow, from where we

were sitting, it didn't look like much. We saw her hit the hurdle, but

she carried on running. Oh, stride pattern must have got - went out the

window. She managed to drive on and finish the race. Then oh,

devastation. I was going to suggest we played the gothenberg VT of your

winning first to cheer you up. You are struggling a little bit in here.

It's hard, it's thoord know that actually I guess where you are now

and you're still not... 100%. In our You're not on the What was track.

Wrong in that race? What happened to you? What was the injury? I tore my

PCL. Posterior cruciate ligament. Yes, and I damaged the cartilage. I

had surgery done a week after it happened on the cartilage. This all

happened in the race and first of all, a PCL went and then I remember

I couldn't control my legs. I kept going, as an athlete you're

determined you're going to keep going and fighting through.

Obviously, I've done myself more damage because instead of stopping,

I kept going and that's when I damaged the cartilage. Yeah, it's

been ten months since it happened. I must say may rehab has been going

really well. I'm fighting through it. I mean, to me, I'm becoming a

stronger athlete and I believe I will become better than I was

before. Because I've been able to work on other weaknesses that I may

have had, other problems that I may have had. Now I'm able to work on

Give us them. An idea of where you're at in your rehab, what you

can do, what the time table is for coming back to compete? So, the one

thing that I love using, even though rehab is tough, I'm on a machine

called an ultra--G machine. Basically it's the antigravity tread

mill. Obviously that's the closest thing at the moment I am doing to

running. I'm about 90% of my body weight of that. I'm getting closer

to being on, if anything grass, before you go and transform to the

track. Other stuff I'm doing, I'm in the pool, bike sessions, I can do

the odd drills now and again. Yeah, it's just, for us to just take it

easy and for me just to report back if there is any pain that I'm

feeling. I have to let the physio, and Chris know. The surgery went

well. I'm able to go forward. At the beginning stages, I'm not going to

lie, there were ups and downs. I was on crutches for three months.

Imagine in that time, the muscle mass in my leg, I'm a slim person

any way, but the fact that people could notice, my leg was

ultra-skinny. It was really horrible to see. It was like, oh, this

actually really happened. People warned me. I taut it wouldn't

happen. I was usually a machine which is there just to stimulate the

muscles and stuff. I was told to use that. I was using that, but still,

now I'm at the stage where I can do heavier weights to build on that

muscle that I've You mention lost. Your coach, Chris, how important has

he been through this whole process? He's been very important. Mentally,

he's been there for me a lot. Even though I have had a psychologist as

well. Going through an injury, it is tough. You doubt yourself as well.

But having friends and family around you to uplift you and for you to

remain positive is a good feeling. And seeing that video that you lot

made for me, it was touching, I was very tearful. But I've been at the

world stage before and seeing that video makes me even more determined

thinking - I will be back! It's nice to be on this show as well to be

remembered and stuff. No, I will be back. I will be. I'm sure you will.

I'm fighting through it. When you come back, one of the things that

has been said because of the injuries that you won't hurdle. Is

that definitely decided? I won't be doing hurdles when I come back. I

may go back to it, but for now, it's for me just to focus on being a 400m

runners. I had unfinished business in the 400m hurdles. I would love to

have my name on a British record as number one, currently number two. I

would love that, but you know, I think for now it's just going to be

the flat running. You can run that 400, because we will look at the

European indoors from gothenberg. Looking at those videos make you

more determined to be back and seeing you running here must do

that. It makes the gift -- grateful for the gift that I have and the

ability to compete at a higher level. Everything is happening so

fast at the time. I was grateful I was able to run.

Now, I will appreciate it more. You have to experience it,

unfortunately, it comes with the turf. You talk about being a better

athlete, because you will know your body so much more. Going back to my

experiences, you start to live in the now a bit more, you do not think

so long term. You make sure what you are doing now is to the best of the

ability that you have now. Exactly. Colin, the potential that Perry has

over 400 could be equal to what she had at 400 hurdles. Your technique

was not amazing! It got better! It is the school of hard knocks in

here! It definitely got better! That was a good question, everybody was

waiting to hear whether he would do hurdles or flat. Let's be honest,

you are young enough, you still learning both events, and whatever

stimulates you get back on the track is the key. If you want to do the

flat, wonderful, but I want to see due back over those sticks, to!

Deputising for you this weekend is Eilidh Child. We can hear from her

now. It has been a good start to the

season, I have only run three hurdles races so far, all in the top

three, so I cannot complain. I am making good progress. Some of the

races have been quite messy, but you still close to your lifetime best

running that way. That is the positive thing, the races have not

gone exactly to plan, I am just working on my stride pattern, I am a

bit quicker this year, so there are a few tweaks to be made, but I am

hopeful for more to come. In terms of this weekend, one of the most

experienced members, big points expected from you, do you carry that

into the race? Yes, this is the first time where I will be expected

to get full points. I have done this the last few years and I have not

had the same expectation, but you put that on yourself anyway. I am

ranked top in Europe this year, so I want to win the race, but as long as

I can run smoothly and executed well, hopefully that is enough to

win. She won last year in Gateshead, and

expectation is that she will win again here. I hope so. She is

experienced, she needs to show them what she is about. She says she is

ranked number one in Europe. It is good practice for her. The trials

will be very easy for her, a walk in the park! That will be... Today will

be a one-off, like a time trial. She will have trials, which will be

easy, and then she will have the Commonwealth Games. It will be

massive for her, she will be one of the poster girls. Scotland do not

have a huge amount of gold medal chances in Chuck and field, she is

the main one. I have had that in pressure, but use it to your

advantage, embrace it. She will be at home, because Scotland is home

for her. Enjoy every moment, that is my advice. You mentioned the British

record, held by Sally Gunnell, it is very quick.

Sally Gunnell leading. She stumbled a bit of that hurdle. The Ukrainian

storming through. Sally Gunnell leading. The Olympic and world

champion storming through. The second fastest time in the world

this year. Sally Gunnell surely second fastest time in the world

not be beaten here. The island pig Champion, the world champion, she

leaves Britain home -- the only big champion. That was a superb way for

the women's team captain, in front of a British crowd, to take Britain

to the World Cup. That was Sally in her pond, 1993, it

was the world record, and the gold medal, a bit like you. I cannot

remember! It is not an easy route is record. Not at all. We have to be

optimistic. Things are achievable. Yes! Of course, I would love it. It

will take a lot of hard work. Put me in the 400 metres, I would love to

have the British record. Christine has it at the moment. We would love

that head-to-head. The knees, you did not compete often in this meet,

but you were there in Birmingham. I was in the long jump, with a

fantastic store bought of German athletics, she held the world record

at one stage, she was amazing. The atmosphere was great, and Sally was

a great captain. We always looked to her to deliver, as we do for Eilidh

Child. Britain still waiting for a first

winner of the afternoon at the 2014 European Team Championships, but to

strong prospect coming up in the next half an hour or so. Just

appearing to warm up for the long jump on the other side of the

track, at the edge of the infield, Greg Rutherford, all smiles. Here,

in the women's 400 metres Greg Rutherford, all smiles. Here,

Lane number six, Eilidh Child. She is the standout performer in this

field. Perry was talking about the 55 second barrier, Eilidh Child the

only athlete who has broken that so far this season. On the inside, the

Italian. The German is well supported here by the capacity

crowd. It is more sparsely populated on the far side of the stadium. The

Ukrainian is forecast to finish behind Eilidh Child, Eilidh Child is

forecast to produce Britain's first victory of the afternoon. The

Russian is the second best in terms of performances this season, but on

lifetime bests, she is the fastest. That was that two seasons ago.

Eilidh Child, 27. We are creeping ever closer to the Commonwealth

Games. Five weeks between here and the athletics competition at Hampden

Park in Glasgow. That would light up the stadium if she could win a

medal. We know there will be a strong Jamaican contingent in

opposition. Denisa Rosolova, if she produced her

best form, she would run very close to winning this. A strong chance for

Eilidh Child, fifth in the world so far this year. To adapt to her

increasing speed, she has been adapting her stride pattern. This is

an important step on that journey towards the Commonwealth Games, one

of Scotland's leading medal hopes for the athletics in the magnificent

Hamden Park stadium. She is in lane six, looking to improve on her

season 's best time so far, 54.82 seconds.

Eilidh Child in Lane six has the Czech athlete on her outside to

chase. She has gone off very quickly. Eilidh Child is taking

command. I read it at the dough and Hanna Ryzhykova in pursuit. Eilidh

Child, forecast to win the race, is running like the favourite. She has

control. She is usually so strong in the home straight. It is hers to

lose. This has been a very measured performance by Eilidh Child. Hanna

Ryzhykova challenging for second place. Eilidh Child upfront. Hanna

Ryzhykova snatches it, and she punches the air. Hanna Ryzhykova,

the winner. Eilidh Child look so strong, the race was first to lose,

and she faltered over the final barrier. That has cost her in the

end, a very disappointed Eilidh Child. The surprise winner, Hanna

Ryzhykova. A season's best for her. 55 seconds flat. Eilidh Child,

55.36. All of the athletes here tired at the end of that race, but

there is a smile on the face of Hanna Ryzhykova, who came through

from a long way off the pace, to snatch victory in the final 25

metres, Steve. Yes, it is difficult to know what to make of that. We are

hanging medals around the neck of Eilidh Child, but this is a

difficult event, she has been experimenting with her stride

pattern. She did attack that pretty well along the back straight. Then,

you saw the stutter. She is still pretty good on the home straight, I

do not know why it did not hang together so well. She has not been

getting under the 55 seconds mark, and if somebody steps up like that,

runs 55 flat, you will come under that pressure. That will be a

disappointment, she would have expected to wind up. Not what she

would have wanted. You can see the wind blowing through

your hair, you attacked the first 200 metres, faded down the home

straight, though. It was a messy race. I went off a bit hard, that is

what I have been working at. I faded a bit on the home straight. I was

really messy on a couple of hurdles. If you do not get it smooth, it is

all over. I am disappointed. Explain, what do you mean by messy?

You are not carrying momentum into the hurdles. Losing your stride.

You are not carrying momentum into lose momentum. I backed right off

the last hurdle. What have you learned from this race? If I get it

smooth, I should run well. I can take a few pointers from that into

the next few weeks. You are disappointed, because the first

place, we had it hanging around your neck. Explain your thoughts. I am

upset about that. I did not know how I would run, I preparation has not

gone to plan, but it is about the I would run, I preparation has not

points, I am gutted not to get the full point. We have got Perry back

in the studio, you are missing that rivalry! I want her to come back as

soon as possible! A good recovery to her. It is not the end of the

weekend, we have got the relay tomorrow? Yes, if the guys need me,

I will step in. We have got a new team, so some of the development

athletes can get some experience. A few mistakes from Eilidh Child. The

wind is the issue there, I think. Definitely. As we saw in the men's

wind is the issue there, I think. 400m hurdles you don't want wind. It

makes the race a lot more hard than it is any way. Eilidh looks strong.

She's been working on her first 200m. She got out, yes

She's been working on her first that she done. It cost her.

She's been working on her first Unfortunately, well, the Ukraine

come and just saw an opportunity, because that's what happens, when

you're in front and you because that's what happens, when

what's going on. The athlete because that's what happens, when

has their eyes on the athlete ahead and thinking I'm going to catch her.

Once Once you stutter into a hurdle, and Eilidh said it there. It's hard

to come It's the back. Momentum. Physically it takes a lot more out

of you to get you back to speed. Rarely you see someone recover

quickly from stuttering and coming back into the race. It's costly. You

quickly from stuttering and coming don't want to do that in a 400m

hurdle race. don't want to do that in a 400m

think I love the way she handled the first part of the race. She went out

very committed. They've first part of the race. She went out

very hard on that. It's a crucial moment. Round the final bend, you

have to keep that as both Perri and Eilidh said, you have to keep the

momentum going. Have you to work into the barriers. It comes with

confidence sometimes. When you've been changing the way things work,

you forget some of the elements of your race. She stated there that she

should have gone into the final barrier instead of taking the safer

option of changing down. You can understand why she's disappointed.

You know what, you can't turn the clock back. In terms of the team

scores this is what that does: Plenty more action still to come

here from Braunschweig. This is just the start of a fantastic summer of

athletics on the BBC. MUSIC

It's going to be great. Our British championships, Sunday 29 June from

1pm. Places at the European Championships up for grabs. Don't

miss that. Slightly below par for Eilidh Child

but above par for Daniel Awde. After he spoke to Katherine. You shook

your head as you crossed the line. But in commentary they're saying

it's a good third place. Yeah, I'm always trying to get a PB every

race. If I don't get that, in my mind, I fail. If I'm honest, I'm

happy with that. I think, I fixed what I had to do, which I missed in

the last few races, which is to take the first 200 -- to attack the first

200. I ran blind for 300 metres am I didn't see anyone until the last

straight. Yeah, I will have to watch it back and see what happened. Of

all the ten events that you used to do as a decathlete, the debate in

studio, why the 400 metres? I don't know. I've been toying with the idea

for a little while. Over the years a lot of people were saying why don't

you give it a go. I listened to what people were saying and have a crack

at it. Is it an event you're enjoying? Yeah, I'm really enjoying

it. Training is good fun. Having people to run with is good fun.

Chris as a coach is great fun. Racing is fun as well. A brief

insight into how the team are doing, it's such a mix this year? Yeah,

really good. It's been really high spirits. Neil seems to be

enthusiastic about this. He gave a great speech yesterday. Hannah, the

team captain, a great speech yesterday. Everyone is looking

forward to proving themselves this weekend and seeing what we can do.

Well done today. Thank you very much. Cheers.

Yeah well done to Daniel Awde. Next chance for a man in the British vest

is Grice gries in the -- Charlie Grice, who goes in the 1500m.

Steve Cram calls the action. I think this is the best quality

event at these European Athletics Team Champions, because this guy is

in it, Ozbilen. He's been very well. We have got the European e-Tesfaye.

Then Lewandowski from Poland, the 800m specialist. You can see what

Charlie Grice is up against. There are a few others who have chances.

Tactics all important, as ever. Three and three quarter laps of the

track. Charlie is drawn on the inside. Carley's been having a great

season so far. He got himself secured with his kaement selection

with a new PB in the States. Backed that up with an 800 PB in Holland

recently. I was chatting to him on Monday. He was delighted with that

one, 47 flat. The youngster really is having a good season so far. A

big test here though for him, Paula. Really experienced athletes. Ozbilen

did this last time. Maybe not as silly as he did last year, but he

will make this a good, honest race. Like he said it was great see

Charlie come out and get his selection. Still up for grabs for

the Europeans, but to get the fast times out of the way and then come

into a race like this and really grow tactically, which is what he

needs to do. He needs to get in there and learn in races like this.

Having said that, Ozbilen has done exactly what he did last year and

gone straight out and taken the race out very, very hard. Sitting in

second is, or maybe not so young, Tesfaye, the German athlete,

originally from Ethiopia. He's been causing controversy here, doubt over

his exact age and whether he is taking under 23 sport place as way

from athletes by not actually being the 20 years old that he is stating

on his passport but rather 23. But he's a very, very outstanding young

talent and is growing all the time. He did go out in the German 800m, I

think under-20 championships recently with a 24-second first 800

and hung on to finish strongly in that race. He isn't afraid to go

with Ozbilen here. At the moment, it is only himself able to do that.

They're just gradually, sensibly moving back towards them. Carvalho

of France there. What happened moving back towards them. Carvalho

there? It was the Swedish athlete, you can see him there, Rogestedt.

He's run a good 800 recently, just maybe almost falling. He did go down

right in front of Charlie. Charlie is in a pretty good place here. The

pace has been reasonable. He obviously has got good pace Charlie