• European Championships

Sharp and Child into semi-finals as Brits shine in Zurich

Lynsey Sharp won the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games © Getty Images

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Lynsey Sharp and Eilidh Child made impressive starts at the European Championships on a strong showing from the British athletes in Zurich.

Sharp, who won the silver medal in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games in front of her supporters in Glasgow, reached the semi-finals at the European Championships by winning her heat as she looks to retain her European title this week.

"I'm fresh off the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow so this was fun," Sharp said, who was on a drip on the morning of the final in Glasgow but defied the odds to finish in a medal-winning position.

"It's just another race, I was excited to compete. I'm loving it this year. It wasn't the plan to control the race from the front, now it's onwards and upwards."

#getoutstrongcommit C 'est tout

— Lynsey Sharp (@LynseySharp) August 13, 2014

Jessica Judd and Alison Leonard will join Sharp in the semi-finals. Leonard posted the quickest time of the heats at two minutes and 1.47 seconds.

Child won her heat in the women's 400m hurdles, with the Commonwealth Games silver medallist booking her place in the semi-finals in a time of 55.32 seconds.

"I felt more nervous for Glasgow as I had that attention on me but here I'm the favourite," Child said.

"It's a bit different but I have the exact same attitude as Glasgow. I just need to go in there and execute my race and if I do that I'll be happy whatever the outcome. I said the same with Glasgow."

In the men's 110m hurdles, Will Sharman, Lawrence Clarke and Andy Turner all made it through to the semi-finals. Elsewhere, Chris Baker reached the men's high jump final.

Eilidh Child comfortably won her heat © Getty Images

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