EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Leira, Portugal Dates: 20-21 June Coverage: Live on BBC Two (1530-1930 BST both days) and BBC Sport website

Lewis finished fourth at the European Indoor Championships in March

Steven Lewis has said a number of pole vaulters are unhappy with the 'seven jump rule' that will be implemented at the European Team Championships.

Competitors will be given a maximum of seven vaults at the event, which starts in Leiria, Portugal, on Saturday.

"All the pole vaulters are not happy with it," Lewis told BBC Radio Stoke.

"They're doing it to compress the event, but it can be a spectacular event when the bar gets higher, and to stop that is a bit frustrating."

Despite the rule change, Lewis is confident that he is jumping well enough to be in contention to win in Portugal.

"I'm coming into good form now and I'm pretty excited about this competition," added Lewis.

"A win is always good for confidence, but this summer is all about the bigger picture, which is the World Championships (in Berlin in August)."

The 23-year-old, who is originally from Lightoaks but now trains with the Newham & Essex club, finished fourth at the European Indoor Championships in Turin in March.

Fellow Staffordshire athletes Ashlee Nelson and Kate Dennison will also be representing Great Britain at the European Team Championships.

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