Jo Pavey enhances Olympic claim with European Championships fifth
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 06/07/16 11:48pm
Jo Pavey battled back from the brink in her 10,000m final at the European Championships in Amsterdam to put herself firmly in the frame for Olympic selection.
The 42-year-old mother of two, who was down in 11th at one stage at the Olympic Stadium, dug in over the final two laps to move through the field as her rivals faded and she came home in fifth place in 31 minutes 34.61 seconds.
It meant Pavey surrendered the title she memorably won two years ago, with Yasemin Can winning gold, but of greater importance was the fact her time was inside the Olympic qualifying standard.
Indeed, it was more than 47 seconds quicker than her gold medal-winning run in Zurich, the fastest time by a Briton this year and, perhaps crucially, more than 37 seconds quicker than her rival for the third and final spot on the team for Rio, Kate Avery, has run in 2016.
Pavey would appear to be in the box seat to make history by becoming the first British track athlete to compete in five Olympics, but 24-year-old Avery's status as a potential star of the future, even though she opted not to compete in Amsterdam, could count in her favour.
"I gave it my all. I was just so honoured to be running in this champs and have the opportunity again to pull on a British vest," she said.
"I've been struggling with form and fitness early in the season, but each week I've been getting that little bit fitter. All I can do is run my absolute hardest.
"I felt I just gave it everything. It was a massive step forward for me. I'm making progress each week."
Pavey's room-mate in Amsterdam, Jess Andrews, 19 years Pavey's junior and whose spot in Rio is already secure, finished seventh in 31mins 38.02secs.
