European Championships

Child takes gold as Sharp bags silver in Zurich

ESPN staff

August 16, 2014

Eilidh Child secured her maiden medal at the European Championships © Getty Images

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Britain's Eilidh Child won gold in the women's 400m hurdles as Lynsey Sharp had to settle for the silver medal in the 800m at the European Championships in Zurich.

Child finished ahead of Ukraine's Anna Titimets to become the first Briton since Sally Gunnell 20 years ago to win the title.

"I came off the last hurdle and my legs were going so I didn't know what had happened, I just wanted to make sure I'd won," Child said, who won Commonwealth silver in front of her home fans in Glasgow.

"I wanted to take it on from the start and hang on. I executed my race plan the way my coach wanted me to. I'm delighted, I'm happy with the outcome. I didn't feel people coming up behind me but I'm so relieved I got the gold medal.

"It's amazing - thanks to my coach, my family and my support team I coped with the pressure. These moments are what you dream about and it's my first major gold medal. I love my athletics and competing - if you enjoy it, you deliver.

"Come next year, there's no reason why I can't be among the best in the world."

Sharp missed out on retaining her title in the women's 800m after being overtaken on the home straight by Maryna Arzamasova of Belarus.

"I knew I was in PB shape so even though front-running is totally different for me, I thought I'd just go for it," Sharp said, who also won silver in Glasgow.

"I was in hospital on a drip for two weeks [earlier in the year] and at that point I didn't even know if I was going to have a season, so to go on and get a Scottish record and silver at the Commonwealths and Europeans is great."

Jo Pavey failed to add to her women's 10,000m gold as she finished seventh in the 5000m.

"I knew recovering from the 10,000m would be difficult but I gave it everything," Pavey said. "To be honest I can't be more pleased to come away from these Championships with a gold. Thanks to everyone because it has been such a fantastic experience."