Savinova proves the class of the field
31.07.2010
Friday’s Russian gold rush continued inside a vibrant Olympic Stadium as Mariya Savinova delivered a comprehensive knock out blow to her rivals to add the European outdoor title to her world and European indoor crowns.
Savinova unleashed a devastating burst of speed down the finishing straight to destroy the opposition and stop the clock in 1:58.22 with a complete performance.
But if the gold medal went to an expected source, the silver medallist proved a major surprise. Dutch champion Yvonne Hak ran the race of her life to lower her lifetime best by 0.35 and earn her country’s first medal in this event since Gerba Kraan struck gold in 1962.
The bronze was just reward for long-time leader Jenny Meadows, who held off a late charge from Slovakia’s Lucia Klocova to add another medal to her growing collection in 1:59.39.
For Savinova tonight’s victory on a balmy Spanish night was a premature 25th birthday present.
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