Super Saturday in Switzerland

Sunday 17th August 2014

Gold for Eilidh, silver and record for Lynsey

It was a ‘Super Saturday’ for Scottish athletes in Zurich.

In the space of around 80 mid-afternoon minutes, Lynsey Sharp claimed silver at the European Championships and broke the National Record in the 800m and Eilidh Child followed on with gold in the 400m Hurdles.

The performances were equally impressive with Lynsey bravely front-running before just being over-hauled by Belarus athlete Maryna Arzamasova.

Sharp’s 1.58.80 takes the record for 800m held by Susan Scott at 1.59.02 and made it two silvers for the Edinburgh AC athlete following her heroic medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Eilidh clocked 54.48, her second best time of the season, to confirm her favourite’s status and take the European crown – even though it took her a split-second on the finishing line to realise her achievement.

It is the seventh major medal (beyond British Champs) for the Pitreavie AAC athlete with the gold added to the silver she won behind Kaliese Spencer at Hampden at Glasgow 2014.

‘I’ve just been trying to take each race as it comes,’ said Eilidh

‘These are the moments you dream about, winning at championships. This is my first major gold medal. And I’m absolutely delighted to have it.’

Lynsey Sharp in Zurich

Sharp said: ‘I’m so unbelievably happy.

‘Getting that Scottish record has been on my mind for two or three seasons now. So to get it without really trying, I was just racing here. And that’s what I really enjoy doing.

‘I knew I was in PB shape and even though I am not used to front-running I felt confident enough to do that.’

All at scottishathletics would like to congratulate both Eilidh and Lynsey on fine performances in Switzerland this week – adding their European medals to the silvers they won at the Commonwealth Games.

Tags: Eilidh Child, Euro Champs, Lynsey Sharp, Zurich