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Jo Pavey had been one of the last few hopes for finally winning a gold medal for Great Britain’s team at the European Championships.It was eight years ago in Budapest, when the British team had won the most gold medals of all nations, winning nine events.Until now they have not won a single one. At the end Jo Pavey did not even win a medal in the 5,000 m final. She finished fourth in 15:01.41 after having increased the pace in the second half of the race and leading most of the way.

The new European Champion come from Spain: After having placed seventh in the 10,000 m final on Monday Marta Dominguez took the 5,000 m title in 14:56.18 minutes. In a sprint finish she beat Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova (14:56.57) and Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse (14:59.29). Pavey had taken the lead at 2,800 m. But she could not get rid of the three runners who later were to take all the medals. When there were 200 metres left they passed Pavey. Dominguez seemed to be boxed in in third position but she was the fastest in the end. “It was an ideal race for me. In the end I knew I could win because of my speed”, Marta Dominguez said. “I tried everything. It is very disappointing not to have won a medal”, Jo Pavey said.

For the first time in the history of the European Championships there was a 3,000 m women’s steeple chase. And it ended with a novelty because Alesia Turava (Belarus), who is the sister of the winner of the 20 k walk Ryta Turava, took the gold. It is the first time in the history of the European Championships that two sisters won one event each. Alesia Turava dominated the steeple, clocking 9:26.05 minutes. Tatjana Petrova (Russia/9:28.05) and Poland’s Wioletta Janowska (9:31.62) took the next few places. „In the last year I was injured and I have only been able to train train for the last three months”, Alesia Turava said.