A developmental British team continued their preparations for the 2017 World Athletics Championships by finishing fourth in the European Athletics Team Championships in Lille.
With a home World Championships rapidly approaching, each competition takes extra significance in the run-up to London 2017, with this no exception as the British Athletics team missed out on the top three by just one point in France.
But the final day was not without its standout performances, as Marc Scott secured a podium finish in scintillating fashion in the 3000m.
A rapid final lap saw him clock under eight minutes, crossing the line at 7:58.52 to finish second, delighted to collect points for his team with a big few months on the horizon.
“For my first senior GB vest I’m really pleased with second place,” he told British Athletics after his personal best run.
“I was beaten by a very good guy in Jakub Holusa who’s a many time Olympian, and I felt good.
“It wasn’t quite where I want to be tactically but I closed well over the last 400m and felt good doing it so I’m feeling pretty good going into Trials next week.”
The British Athletics Team Trials take place in Birmingham next week, though there was heartbreak for the British team as their French hosts pipped them to third in the competition after the final event, the 4x400m relay, when Delano Williams was forced to withdraw with injury.
Germany and Poland took first and second respectively, while Ben Williams joined Scott on the individual podium when jumping 16.73m to take second in the triple jump – just one centimetre short of his personal best.
He said: “It was good. It was my first GB vest in six years so it was awesome to put on these colours again.
“I always try to show up when I’ve got these colours on and I think I did myself a bit of justice today.
“That crowd was electric so I’m hoping for more of that in the future. I loved the experience, it was fantastic.”
The Brits also enjoyed a plethora of third places, not least via Nick Miller in the hammer, while David Omoregie and James Bowness enjoyed success in the 800m and 110m hurdles respectively.
Rio 2016 long jump finalist Jazmin Sawyers finished fourth, the best she has ever done at the European Athletics Team Championships.
Sportsbeat 2017