Loughnane sixth as Sokolova smashes European record

THERE was drama at the end of a sensational women’s 10,000m walk at the European junior championships in Kaunus yesterday when Yelena Ladanova of Russia, after finishing streets ahead of everyone, discovered she had been disqualified.

She had smashed the European record but the mark was still broken by her compatriot, Vera Sokolova, who set a new European junior and championship best at 43 mins 11.34 secs to claim her place in the history books.

Another Russian, Olga Mikhaylova, claimed the silver medal with a personal best of 45:31.49 and there was also a career best time for the bronze medallist, Martina Gabrielli of Italy, who finished third in 46:38.53.