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Athletics

Britain hit seam of European bronze

10/08/2006

British athletes added three track bronze medals to their tally on the fourth day of the European Championship in Gothenburg.

After yesterday's impressive second place by young long-jumper Greg Rutherford, 200m runner Marlon Devonish, 400m hurdler Rhys Williams and 800m athlete Becky Lyne all made it to the bottom level of the podium in today's action.

Devonish's race saw the completion of a memorable sprint double with Portugal Francis Obikwelu following up his 100m triumph of Tuesday with a comfortable win.

A similar feat could be in the offing in the women's competition as Kim Gevaert of Belgium posted 22.83secs in her quarter-final. Russian Natalya Rusakova may be the principal threat to her chances, winning her heat in a rapid 22.75secs.

In Dean Macey's absence, Czech Olympic champion Roman Sebrle established a commanding 91-point lead in the men's decathlon as he successfully cleared 2.09m in the high jump. The Briton was forced to withdraw from the event after losing a battle to recover from an injured groin in time.

A number of possible candidates to be Britain's first gold-medal winner made it safely through to the latter stages of their competitions.

Phillips Idowu and Nathan Douglas will be hoping to find some inspiration in Jonathan Edwards' triple-jump world record achieved at the stadium some 11 years ago as they progressed to Sunday's final.


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