
Stanislav Emelyanov of Russia became the first gold medallist of the 20th
European Athletics Championships winning the men's 20km walk in
1:20.10.
“I thought I would be fighting for the lead for much longer,” said the gold medallist who hails from Saransk, a hotbed of Russian walking. “I was surprised to find myself out in the lead so early. Even though I got one warning my coach told me to keep on pushing and not worry about the yellow card.”
Right from the gun, it was Schwazer, the 50km Olympic champion, who shot into the lead like a man with a mission, opening up a five-metre gap with Balkan champion, Silviu Casandra of Romania and Emelyanov quickly joining him to give the trio an early 10m lead over the field.
After one lap the gap was already considerable, the young Russian shadowing the tall Italian with Casandra starting to feel the early pace and falling back. As two kilometres were passed the gap to the main group was 12sec and it was surely only a matter of time before Emelyanov wilted.
Lap three and Emelyanov was not letting go and looking comfortable tracking Schwazer but it was the Italian making the pace. Meanwhile Robert Heffernan of Ireland and the Italian 2004 Olympic champion, Ivano Brugnetti, were heading the chasing group who were holding the gap at 10sec and starting to look as though they had serious designs on the two up front.
At this stage the group consisted of the Italians Brugnetti and Giorgio Rubino, Heffernan, Belarussian Denis Simanovich, Russian Andrey Krivov, Vieira and Dzianis Simanovich of Belarus.
The first drama occurred after six kilometres when the chasers made a concerted attempt to close the gap, dramatically reducing the lead. Sensing danger and with a maturity belying his years. Emelyanov eased himself in front and started re-establishing his position.
Surprisingly Schwazer was unable to respond and was swallowed up by the chasing group which now numbered seven. The Russian's lead was only an agonising two seconds but he was sticking to his task. Slowly but surely he was strengthening his hold on the race and from this point on he was not to relinquish it.
After settling in the pack, Schwazer was staging a recovery and was locked in a struggle with Simanovich, but the gap was growing and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
At the half way mark reached by Emelyanov in 40:14, it was Schwazer and Rubino's turn to try to eat into the Russian's hold on gold but Emelyanov had opened up another 11sec gap and was looking composed while he set about turning the screw.
At each of the U-turns on the tight 1km course, Emelyanov could clearly see his rivals and must have taken heart. His only problem seemed to be how to negotiate the tight turns, at times holding on to the railing to get round without falling.
By 14km the medals had been practically decided. Schwazer was revived and was now 15secs down with Vieira a further two seconds behind and the Irishman at 18sec. In the 16th kilometre Emelyanov received his only warning of the race, but from here on in he could relax.
At the bell the young Russian could enjoy his victory lap while still in the race. Behind him Schwazer had embarked on a furious sprint to claim silver with Viera happy in bronze.
After winning the last two titles in Munich and Göteborg, Spain had to relinquish their grasp on the title, their lead walker, Juan Manuel Molina, crossing the line in 9th.
