Poland’s Anna Rogowska at Liévin, France - 3rd European Athletics Indoor Cup (© AFP/Getty Images)
The 3rd European Athletics Indoor Cup was won by the French men’s team, and Russia’s women. The major performance of the day was by Poland’s Anna Rogowska who took 4th place on the World Indoor all-time lists with a Pole Vault of 4.80m. French heroine Christine Arron remained unbeaten at 60m and World champion 110m Hurdler Ladji Doucouré ran and won his sole 60m Hurdles competition of the indoor season.
Polish national record
The Polish team had to make a tough selection choice between Monika Pyrek and Anna Rogowska, the world number 2 and 3 behind Russia’s World and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva, for the women’s Pole Vault. Rogowska, who was second to Isinbayeva in Birmingham (4.79m for both) was preferred and she lived-up to the decision by reconfirming her status as currently the Russian World record holder’s closest challenger. However, Isinbayeva was not competing today, with Tatyana Polnova, last summer’s World Championship fourth placer competing for Russia instead 4.50m, second.
Rogowska had to take two attempts to pass all her heights, a conservative start at 4.40m, followed by 4.60 to win the competition, and 4.80 to add 1cm to her own National Record. With Isinbayeva watching from the spectator tribune, Rogowska was the motivated to attempt to break the Russian’s World Indoor record. She missed all her 3 attempts at 4.92m, running through on two occasions, and her jump not coming close on her third.
11th win but not quite so smooth for Arron
Christine Arron today won her 11th race this winter at 60m (including heats), and her unbeaten status gives her big hopes for the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championships, Moscow, Russia which take place this week (10 – 12 March).
“I was not great out of the blocks”, said the World Championship 100/200m bronze medallist, “I knew this morning that it would difficult because I still felt tired from my three races on Friday.” A satisfying Reaction Time of 0.159 still left the French heroine behind Olga Khalandyreva (0.113), but even though she never looked as smooth as two days ago, she still won easily in 7.16 versus 7.29 for the Russian.
“This is still a good performance for me, I just need now to rest a little in order to pick up for next weekend,” confirmed Arron.
Pognon satisfied enough to travel to Moscow
The men’s European Indoor Cup 60m race was very important for Arron’s training partner’s Ronald Pognon as his decision whether or not to participate at the World Indoors depended on today’s result. After a false start, the Frenchman was cautious out of the blocks, but managed to get ahead of Ukrainian Anatoliy Dovhal and win in 6.65 against 6.70. The time was not as fast as Pognon had expected, however, the European record holder (6.45) has decided to take the flight to Moscow: “My 2005 feelings are coming back and most of all I find great pleasure on the track.”
Ladji Doucouré, a double World champion last year (110m Hurdles and 4x100m) had announced several months ago that he would run only one hurdle race this winter and wasn’t sure about what he could do, due to the lack of specific preparation. The Frenchman came out of the blocks last but progressively took the lead and won in 7.62, his best ever season’s opener. Mike Fenner (GER) came second in 7.69.
Bartels bested
A surprise occurred in the men’s Shot Put, as Ralf Bartels (GER), the European season leader with 21.43m only managed a 20.59m effort. Poland’s Tomasz Majewski, on the other hand improved his performance on each attempt, 19.63m, 19.90m, 20.59m and 20.60m, to take the win.
“I’m very happy to win”, said the 2.04m and 132kg Polish athlete. “I’m also happy to beat Ralf Bartels who is a very good thrower, so I expect to do better than in the last World Indoor Champs in Budapest two years ago where I took 4th place”.
Kallur’s win streak continues
The women’s 60m Hurdles saw a tough battle between Susanna Kallur (SWE) and Glory Alozie (ESP). As usual, Alozie was the slowest out of the blocks, and despite her late surge it was not enough to catch Kallur who crossed the line in 7.95 to the Spaniard’s 7.99. The Swede’s last loss at the 60mH discipline dates back to the 2004 World Indoor Championships final in Budapest almost two years ago!
Sdiri injured
Aleksey Lukashevich of Ukraine, the European outdoor champion, won the Long Jump with 7.88m, beating European season leader (8.27m) Salim Sdiri by 3cm. However, the French athlete couldn’t finish the competition as he tore his right hamstring on his third attempt during the take-off.
“I feel angry about it” said Sdiri. “I’ve injured myself so many times exactly in the same area. Last year was OK, but two years ago it happened five times. Sometimes it takes more than 10 days to recover, sometimes less. I don’t know if I can compete in Moscow.”
Russian women’s distance dominance
Russia via Tatyana Veshkurova, Olga Komyagina and Yekaterina Volkova easely won the 400m (51.67), 1500m (4:10.23) and 3000m (8:59.70) respectively. The 800m was the only distance race which escaped the Russians, as Romanian Maria Cioncan came away victorious (2:02.21). However, in securing the win she slightly injured herself in the tough last sprint battle which took place between her, Poland’s Ewelina Setowska (POL) and Russian pre-race favourite Svetlana Cherkasova.
There were Spanish wins in slow tactical races at the men’s 800m (Juan De Dios Jurado - 1:49.50) and 1500m (Sergio Gallardo - 3:49.77). Ivan Babaryka from Ukraine led for most of the men’s 3000m race but Jan Fitschen (GER) eventually made a burst from the pack to win with a clear margin in 7:58.08.
Daniel Dabrowski (POL) was a delighted winner in the men’s 400m in 46.62, while Ruwen Faller (GER) won the second race in 46.89.
The men’s High Jump win was decided on countback, as three men had jumped 2.26m. First place went to Russia’s Ivan Ukhov who went over on his first approach, Andrea Bettinelli (ITA) took second place thanks to a successful second attempt, and Javier Bermejo (ESP) was third, as he had only managed the height on his third try.
Both the men’s and women’s relay’s were won by Russia.
P-J Vazel for the IAAF
The final European Cup standings:
Men: 1st FRA 59 points, 2nd GER 54p, 3rd ESP 50p, 4th POL 50p, 5th UKR47p, 6th RUS 41p, 7th ITA 38p, 8th FIN 27p.
Women: 1st RUS 62 points, 2nd POL 53p, 3rd ROM 46p, 4th FRA 41p, 5th GER 37p, 6th UKR 33p, 7th ESP 31p, 8th SWE 21p.
