Battling O’Rourke just misses out on podium finish

SHE did not win a medal this time but Derval O’Rourke had another amazing adventure at the European championships in Paris yesterday when she reported back from injury to claim fourth place in the final of the women’s 60m hurdles.

In a repeat of last year’s outdoor championships in Barcelona where she won the silver medal she was drawn twice alongside her arch rival, Carolin Nytra, and the German finally found her measure as she went on to win her first major title in 7.80 secs — the fastest time run in Europe this year.

Newcomer, Tiffany Ofili, recorded the same time but lost out to Nytra in the photo finish as she set her second UK record of the day with Christina Vukicevic setting a new Norwegian record at 7.83 secs in third place.