 | The European Indoors are live on BBC Two on Sunday 6 March at 1600
(all times GMT) |
Britain's Jason Gardener completed an historic hat-trick of European Indoor 60m title wins in Madrid on Saturday. The Bath star powered his way to the line in a blistering 6.55 seconds to edge fellow Briton Mark Lewis-Francis, who ran 6.59 to secure the silver.
Pre-race favourite Ronald Pognon of France was forced into third in 6.62.
Jubilant Gardener said: "My season's not gone to plan but I turned it round. This is probably my last European Indoors so it is very special for me."
Gardener added: "I was under a lot of pressure coming into this race and the French guy was the favourite.
"But I wanted the challenge - I am a championship runner - and I was so relieved to cross that line in first place and to see Mark finish in second.
"I thought for an instant that the start had been false but managed to keep my concentration and win.
"No one can take this gold medal away from me and it will go in the cupboard with all the rest.
"I have a huge smile on my face. For once I don't have a surgeon's bed waiting for me and now I have to get on and achieve some good results this summer."
Lewis-Francis added: "To finished the indoor season with a silver medal is great."
Pognon said: "I came very badly out of the blocks and had therefore many problems in the first 30m.
"However, the winning time was slower than the times I've run this year but I have to admit the two British guys were better than me."
MMIX
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