GB slip to fourth despite Thomas win
GREAT BRITAIN’s Charlene Thomas claimed a surprise win in the 1500m on the final day of the European Team Championships in Stockholm.
Andy Turner also triumphed in the 110m hurdles, continuing his superb season despite rain and blustery conditions.
However, Team GB slipped out of the top three after a disaster in the men’s 4x400m relay, a botched baton handover resulting in disqualification.
Thomas had to fight her way out of the pack on the final lap before out-sprinting favourites Anna Mischenko, of Ukraine, and Russia’s Yekaterina Martynova in four minutes and 6.85 seconds.
Turner, meanwhile, started badly but recovered well and won comfortably in a time of 13.64 secs to underline his status as one of the best home medal prospects at next summer’s London 2012 Olympics.
Britain’s women had set the team up to retain a podium place by taking second place in the 4x400m relay, but were let down by their male colleagues, Richard Buck taking the blame for a failed handover with Michael Bingham.
There was further disappointment in the women’s 100m hurdles, where Tiffany Ofili-Porter, who recently switched allegiances to Britain from the United States, could manage no higher than fourth.