Superb Performance by Martyn Rooney. 15 July 2016

On a night when the British Team added a number of medals to their tally, there was joy for Martyn Rooney (coach: Rana Reider) who retained his European Championships title in style. 

It was a superb performance by Martyn Rooney (Rana Reider) who won his second European 400m Gold medal.  It never looked in doubt as he ran another controlled race before accelerating in the final 150m to obliterate the competition, taking it in 45.29. He beat a field including Pavel Maslak and Kevin Borlee to secure a major individual title and further his aspirations for a spot in Rio.

A delighted Rooney said: ‘I like Championships, so when it comes to Championships this is where I peak and seem to do well. I’ve backed it up and fortunately a lot of other people have as well - a lot of other people have taken the opportunity to use this Europeans. A couple more athletes have come here and picked up medals and there will be more to come.  It’s great for us, going to the Olympics with confidence.’

‘Roger Black is a good person to follow (retaining titles) though he probably did it every 4 years! But I’ll take it - the double - to defend a title is great.  Last time I won I was relieved, this time I’m elated’.