by Stuart Weir
This is the sixth column from Stuart Weir on the 2023 European Athletics Team Championships. On Friday, June 30, Stuart Weir will be covering the Lausanne Diamond League.
Italy wins European Team Championships.
On the final day of the European Team Championships, Division 1 confirmed Italy’s expected win. The final points scores were:
1 Italy 426.5
2 Poland 402.5
3 Germany 387.5
4 Spain 352
5 GB 341
There was something for the home crowd to cheer as Poland won the women’s steeple chase. The best way to end any track meet is a 4 by 400 relay. The program here included only a mixed version, but when the hosts won it, the (small) crowd went home happy. The result helped move the team into second.
The highlight of the day was the men’s high jump which Gianmarco Tamberi won after a long absence with injury. There is no athlete who engages more with spectators and shows that he is enjoying himself than Jimbo! As I waited to speak to him, I asked the Italian press attaché if I had missed him. He replied: “No, he is still talking to people – I mean spectators as well as journalists!”
Final Day winners
Women
200m: Lieke Klaver, Netherlands, 22.46
1500m: Esther Guerrero, Spain, 4:11.77
3000m SC: Alicja Konieczek, Poland 9:38.72
Javelin: Nikola Ogrodnikova, Czech 61.75
LJ: Hilary Kpatcha, France, 6.75
HJ: Nawal Meniker, France 1.92
Men
200m: Ryan Zeze, France 20.29
5000m: Thierry Ndikimwenayo, Spain, 13:25.46
Shot: Zane Weir, Italy 21.59
Javelin: Julian Weber, Germany 86.26
HJ: Gianmarco Tamberi, Italy 2.29
Mixed
4 X400m Relay, Poland, 3:12.87
