Hussein delivers rare Swiss gold, Diniz dedicates world record to Mekhissi-Benabbad
By Mike Rowbottom at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich
Swirling rain may have engulfed the men's 400 metres hurdles final, but the Letzigrund Stadium generated a level of heat and noise not previously witnessed this week as Kariem Hussein delivered the host nation's first gold - indeed, its first medal - of these European Championships.
Swirling rain may have engulfed the men's 400 metres hurdles final, but the Letzigrund Stadium generated a level of heat and noise not previously witnessed this week as Kariem Hussein delivered the host nation's first gold - indeed, its first medal - of these European Championships.
Sebastian Coe, back in what he describes as his "spiritual home town" of Zurich, where he broke world records for 1500 metres and the mile, has said the most important thing for athletics is to ensure the best competitors meet each other in both championships and other meetings.
Mehiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad confirmed his reputation as the enfant terrible of athletics here tonight as he was disqualified from what would have been his third consecutive European 3,000 metres steeplechase victory after he had celebrated down the final straight by ripping off his shirt and jamming it into his mouth as he cleared the final hurdle.
The second night of the European Athletics Championships here turned out to be Great for Britain as they took three golds through Mo Farah, who finally declared himself fit in regaining his 10,000 metres title, James Dasaolu in the 100m and Tiffany Porter in the 100m hurdles.
In a career that has spanned more than two decades, Britain's Jo Pavey has won silver and bronze medals - but until tonight, never a gold.
Athletes competing at the European Championships which get underway here tomorrow will benefit significantly from a unique re-laid track at the Letzigrund Stadium, according to Patrick Magyar, the Organising Committee's chief executive.
Silas Kiplagat produced the shock result of the International Association of Athletics Federatons (IAAF) Diamond League meeting as he outsprinted the Kenyan compatriot who had been targeting a world record in the 1500 metres, Asbel Kiprop, to win in 3min 27.64sec, making him the fourth fastest man in history.
Asbel Kiprop is back in Monaco – and in pursuit of the world 1500 metres record.
Six gold medals earned New Zealand the bragging rights at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, the last major international competition before next month's World Championships in Amsterdam, with Great Britain - for whom the "flagship" men's four won another commanding victory - finishing second with four golds, one more than Germany.
David Rudisha equalled the fastest 800 metres of the year at the Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix, defying cool, grey conditions on the second day of the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) Diamond League meeting with a time of 1 min 43.34sec.
Yohan Blake's hopes of running a sub-10second 100 metres in tonight's Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix at Hampden Park were prematurely ended as he pulled up injured in a race won by fellow Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade in 9.97sec.
Sebastian Coe will be the Great North Run's guest of honour when it becomes the first event of its kind in the world to celebrate a millionth finisher on September 7.
Blessing Okagbare turned her fortunes around in the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) Paris Diamond League meeting tonight with a 200 metres victory over Olympic champion Allyson Felix and World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce just two days after failing to complete her 100m in Lausanne following a stumble.
Tyson Gay's comeback race following his reduced doping ban ended in 100 metres defeat in Lausanne at the hands of fellow American Justin Gatlin, but the high point of the International Association of Athletics Federations' Diamond League meeting was a stupendous 400m victory by Grenada's Olympic champion Kirani James in 43.74sec.
Tyson Gay makes his not-so-long awaited return to the track tomorrow night in Lausanne - where he last competed a year ago before incurring the doping ban which has subsequently, and controversially, been reduced from 24 to 12 months.
