'Historic' Mekhissi wins fifth Euro gold as world champions shine

France's Mahiedine Mekhissi joined an elite band of athletes after he claimed his fifth European title on a scintillating night of track and field in Berlin that saw a trio of world champions shine.

Mekhissi, a three-time Olympic and two-time world medallist, was imperious as he eased to a fourth victory in the 3000m steeplechase in 8min 31.66sec, having already won the discipline three times (2010, 2012, 2016) and the 1500m once (2014).

The 33-year-old Frenchman joined the trio of German Harald Schmid and British pair Roger Black and Mo Farah as the sole athletes to have won five outdoor golds on the continental stage.

Mekhissi, who was controversially stripped of the 2014 steeplechase title for having stripped off his singlet before he crossed the finish line in first place, has the chance for an unprecedented sixth gold when he competes in Saturday's 5000m.

"It was tough today," he said. "To keep that level over 10 years is not easy.

"I really wanted to defend my title, but there was a lot of stress and there's no doubt it was my most emotional race.

"I'm extremely proud. To be a five-time European champion is historic."
"After my world title I am now European champion now! It sounds like where I should be," Warholm said. "I had just enough to give on the last 100m."
- Imperious Stefanidi -
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