 |
|
|
|
Abeylegesse in search of more European gold
Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse will attempt to add the 5 000m gold to the one she already has in the 10 000 on the final day of the European championships in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday.
The Ethiopian-born Turk, who set a relentless pace on her way to a comprehensive victory over the longer distance, has the fastest time for the 5 000 by a European this year and is favourite for the title.
World high jump champion Blanka Vlasic lines up in the women's high jump final searching for a first European medal after finishing fourth in 2006.
Belgian Tia Hellebaut won the title four years ago but has played down expectations of retaining it after having a baby last year.
"I'm not thinking about defending my title as some 13 months ago I had a baby," the Olympic champion said on the European Athletics website (www.european-athletics.org).
"I'm very excited to be back competing and I think I am at a good level. I've been training now for nine-and-a-half months."
The other women's finals are 4x100 metres relay, 1 500 metres and the 4x400 relay.
The men's marathon will be provide the first medals of the day with other finals in the 4x100 relay, discus, long jump, 3 000 steeplechase and 4x400 relay.
