Russia upset the odds to take relay gold

Krasnov pulled away from Europe’s fastest 400m man, Jonthan Borlée, on the final leg to bring Russia gold in 3:02.14 as individual bronze medallist Martyn Rooney hauled Britain past the Belgian to bring Britain silver in 3:02.25 leaving the favourites third in 3:02.60.

With the 400m gold medallist in their squad – Jonathan’s twin brother Kevin – it was a disappointing end for Belgium but nevertheless their nation’s first medal at this event.

“It was a very hard race and I guess we could have won,” said Kevin Borlée, who ran superbly in yesterday’s semi-finals and took the second leg tonight. “I had some problems tonight and was kind of tired as it was my fifth race of the week.”

It was always going to be hard for Belgium. They posted the best time in the semi-finals but Britain had also looked strong without Rooney and individual silver medallist Michael Bingham to come into the side, while Russia qualified without Krasnov.

Maksim Dyldin gave the Russians a great start with Belgium’s Arnuad Destatte and Conrad Williams for the Britons also going well. Alexey Aksenov hit the front as they broke from the lanes on the second leg while Bingham had to chop his stride on the back straight. Italy’s Luca Galletti made a bid for the lead ahead of Kevin B with Poland’s Daniel Dabrowski also in the mix. This was going to be tight.

Italy were surprise leaders at the second changeover followed by Belgium, Poland and Russia with Britain’s Robert Tobin now fifth. Cédric Van Branteghem began a charge in the home straight and four teams handed their batons to the anchor runners virtually together.

Krasnov emerged in the lead and set off with purpose chased by Jonathan B and Rooney. Borlée attempted to challenge down the back straight where Rooney briefly appeared to lose touch.

He attacked again around the bend and chased hard, catching the Belgian. But Krasnov was too strong and crossed the line first to give Russia its first men’s 4x4 medal since 2002.

“We planned to make the podium but didn’t believe we could win the gold,” said the disbelieving Aksenov who surely had the best day of his life after hearing earlier today that his wife had given birth.

“We ran with the support of one more person tonight,” he said. “My wife has given birth to a son today. This victory is for him.”

Rooney was happy to get his second medal of the championships.

“We are over the moon to get a medal,” he said. “We realised that it was going to be a tough race and in the end it turned out to be an extremely close finish. We put everything we had into it and our best efforts paid off.”

For the Borlées of Belgium they had to be satisfied with bronze, their nation’s first ever medal in this event.

“It is 4x4 so there are some things that we have to improve on. We are a very young team,” said Borlée. “At future championships I am sure we will do better.”

Source: european-athletics.org