Spain picks up three medals in 3000m and shot put
gold
Sean Wallace-Jones for the IAAF
2 March 2002 – Vienna, Austria –
Spanish runners took three out of four medals awarded in the men’s 3000 metres here in the
Ferry Dusika Stadium this afternoon, as Britain’s John Mayock was also awarded a bronze
medal in a third place tie with Spain’s Jesus Espana.
The race was won by Spanish runner Alberto Garcia in a competition record of 7:43.89. Garcia had taken over the lead towards the halfway mark and led the field through 2000 metres in 5:15.77, tailed by Mayock. But as the gap between the two front runners widened, Garcia’s countryman Antonio Jimenez gradually caught up with Mayock and passed him as they came into the final straight. The third Spaniard caught Mayock at the line and the two were inseparable in the photo, giving rise to the unusual award of two bronzes.
“It is an historical podium for Spain,” said Alberto Garcia after the race. “To win is a great satisfaction, but like this even more because we can show to everyone that Spanish athletics is at the top of the European scene.
“When I was in the lead at 2000 metres I looked at the video board and Mayock seemed to be placed very well, but when I finished they told us it was us three Spaniards in the first three places.”
Mayock was disappointed but happy to finish in the medals: “I came here with the aim of getting the gold. If you do not aim high you come away with nothing.
“It was so close at the finish that I thought I had only got fourth. I am delighted with the bronze. As Gbr team captain I had to get a medal.”
Only moments before, Manuel Martinez had given Spain its first gold medal of the championships and a new national record by winning a closely contested men’s shot put.
Martinez threw the shot 21.26 metres with his fifth put, fouling out on his last attempt. Joachim Olsen of Denmark, who had traded the lead with Martinez during the competition was second with his final attempt of 21.23 metres.
Both Martinez and Olsen were delighted with their results. “It was a great competition with several changes of leader,” said Martinez. “I believe that these were the greatest championships I was in. It was a pity that my last throw was invalid because then I would have reached more than 21.30.
“My next goal is the European Throwing Challenge in Croatia outdoors. I expect to reach the Spanish record again.”
Olsen agreed about the competition: “I am delighted with my performance today and the medal. If you are going to lose in a competition then it might as well be such a fine one as this today.
“Martinez is a fine competitor and the way he responded to my fifth round put was magnificent.”
Sweden’s Kajsa Bergqvist failed to defend her title in the high jump and was beaten by Marina Kuptsova of Russia after making a best height of 1.95. Bergqvist shared the silver with Hungary's Dora Gyorffy.
Bergqvist had already mentioned some technical problems during the qualifying round and these were compounded by a foot problem: “I have been having some trouble with my left foot and also some technical problems. But in this competition I felt I had everything right.
“My approach was not perfect, but it was 100% better than yesterday, which was disastrous. In every jump I had to make changes.”
For Gyorffy a medal was a definite achievement: “I am really proud to get a medal with such a strong field, It would have been nice to set a personal best, but performance really does not matter that much at a championships.”
The young Hungarian will compete during the summer before returning to her studies: “I graduated from Harvard with a degree in political science and now I am back in Hungary until the fall when I intend to start a postgraduate degree.”
In other action here this afternoon, France's Muriel Hurtis won gold in the women's 200 metres in 22.52 as Austria's Karin Mayr set a second national record in two days for the event with her second placed clocking of 22.70. Gabriele Rockmeier of Germany was third.
Glory Alozie gave Spain another gold medal and a new national record in the 60 metre hurdles. Alozie, who acquired Spanish nationality last year ran 7.84 to beat France's Linda Ferga and Kirsten Bolm from Germany.
Vita Pavlysh (UKR) won the women's shot put with 19.76 metres, with the silver going to Italy's Assunta Legnante - some little compensation for the fact that one of Italy's strongest medal hopes, male shot putter Paolo dal Soglio failed to qualify for the men's final.
