29.07.2010 17:33

European Athletics Championships: Table-Topping Russia

Tuesday July 27, the opening day, started well for Russia, when 19-year-old Stanislav Emelyanov won the Men's 20 km Walk (1.20.10) ahead of Italy’s Alex Schwazer (1.20.38) and Portugal’s João Vieira (1.20.49). Emelyanov complained about the slippery conditions: "The track was slippery in some places, particularly before the second turn, where runners were taking an [improvised] shower, and I was really afraid of falling down at this turn and sometimes even held on to an advertising side barrier".

Photo: European Athletics Championships: Table-Topping Russia

Also on Tuesday, 25-year-old Anna Avdeeva won the bronze medal in the women’s shot-put, with a throw of 19.39 metres against the Belarus pair Natalia Mikhnevich (19.53) and Gold medal winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk (20.48).

On Wednesday, 1,2,3 for Russia in the Women's 20 km Walk event. Olga Kaniskina, the 2008 Olympic Champion and record holder and two-time World Champion, got the Gold medal (1 hour 27.44 minutes) ahead of fellow Russians Anisya Kirdyapkina (1 hour 28.55) and Vera Sokolova (1 hour and 29.32). Gold, Silver and Bronze for Russia.

Kaniskina declared that "This is my first title in the European champion, so I am gradually filling my collection of awards" adding that she liked the track: "I really liked the track in Barcelona. The one-kilometer laps helped to keep my closest competitors under control... It was comfortable to walk, but I did not force the development of events and am glad that we [Russians] managed to win all the medals".

In the Women’s 10,000 metres, Inga Abitova got the Silver medal and in the Long Jump, Olga Kucherenko won the Bronze.

Thursday brought a Gold and a Silver in the Men’s High Jump Final. Aleksandr Shustov got the Gold with a jump of 2.33 metres and Silver went to compatriot Ivan Ukhov, with a jump of 2.31 metres.

Gold medals

Stanislav Emelyanov - Men's 20 km Walk

Olga Kaniskina - Women's 20 km Walk

Aleksandr Shustov – Men’s High Jump

Silver Medals

Anisya Kirdyapkina - Women's 20 km Walk

Inga Abitova - Women’s 10,000 metres

Ivan Ukhov - Men’s High Jump

Bronze Medals

Anna Avdeeva - Women’s shot-put

Vera Sokolova - Women's 20 km Walk

Olga Kucherenko - Women’s Long Jump