ATHLETICS: EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2002: It's silver as Sonia pipped

IRELAND'S Sonia O'Sullivan had to settle for silver for the second time when she lost her 5000 metres title.

O'Sullivan, who relinquished her hold on the 10,000m crown to Britain's Paula Radcliffe last Sunday, was pipped on the line by Spain's Marta Dominguez. The Cobh runner looked set to retain one of the titles she won in Budapest four years ago as she struck for home with 150m to go.

But as she tired, Dominguez responded to win in 15 minutes 14.76 seconds with O'Sullivan second in 15:15.22.

Meanwhile, Ashia Hansen added to Britain's growing gold medal haul by snatching the women's triple jump title in dramatic last-gasp fashion.

With her last jump of the competition yesterday, Hansen came from behind with a leap of exactly 15 metres to triumph. The Birmingham girl had trailed Finland's Heli Koivula, Steve Backley's glamorous former girlfriend.

But Hansen's rival couldn't respond with her own final effort and had to settle for silver with her first-round effort of 14.83m.

Hansen burst into tears of delight after her best performance for three years.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.