European Athletics Championships: Martyn Rooney and Matthew Hudson-Smith clinch 1-2
Friday 15 August 2014 21:23, UK
Martyn Rooney led home Matthew Hudson-Smith as Great Britain clinched a one-two in the men’s 400 metres at the European Championships.
Rooney’s gold medal made up for the disappointment of missing out at the Commonwealth Games, while teenager Hudson-Smith took the first major individual honour of his career.
Having won all three semi-finals, there was the expectation of British success heading into the medal race in Zurich.
The fact Belgium's Jonathan Borlee did not start only improved the outlook and the Brits did not disappoint, despite a jittery start from Hudson-Smith.
It had looked like the 19-year-old, who so impressively anchored England to 4x400m glory at the Commonwealth Games, would see his race ended by a false start but, after a nervy wait, he avoided disqualification.
Hudson-Smith was instead shown a yellow card for not being stable in the set position - a punishment that did not appear to distract him.
The teenager produced a wonderful race, setting a new personal best of 44.75 seconds to win silver behind team-mate Rooney's European lead of 44.71s.
Reigning world champion Christine Ohuruogu could not add to the medal tally in the women’s event as she was edged into fourth place after a photo finish.
Italy’s Libania Grenot dominated the race to take gold, with Olha Zemlyak of Ukraine and Indira Terrero of Spain completing the podium after dipping in front of Ohuruogu at the line.
But Laura Weightman did secure a medal for Britain as she trailed home Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Abeba Aregawi of Sweden to take bronze in the women's 1500m.
