ELLINGTON ROARS ON WHILE BOLARINWA GIVES A SPANISH LESSON

James Ellington has proved this season that he is knocking on the door of world class in the world of sprints, and David Bolarinwa is surely one of the best juniors on the planet.  Well both proved themselves at opposite ends of the continent today.


Ellington, competing for Great Britain in the European teams Championships in Stockholm, regained the lead on third leg of the 4 x 100m relay to set up a famous win for Britain on day one.  The team clocked 38.6s

It was certainly a very strong leg in a team made up of four of Britain's best - Christian Malcolm, Craig Pickering, James, and Harry Aikines Aryeetey, and augurs well for the Catford-born sprinter's possible future inclusion in the squad travelling to the World Championships in South Korea in August.

Meanwhile, in Bilbao, Spain, the rain held off, but the wind didn't for young starlet David Bolarinwa, who was competing in a European Athletics Permit meeting.

In the semi-finals of the 100m he showed huge promise with a winning 10.42s effort in front of Britain's Simeon Williamson, but the final saw him improve that by only a fraction to 10.40, both wind assisted, and the latter leaving him just fifth in a final won in 10.11s.

The 200m, however, was a different story.  Run as two finals ranked on time, he blew away a classy field including Britain's Richard Strachan, and clocked a lifetime's fastest 20.96s to win the race - and tournament - outright.

David Bolarinwa tops the rostrum after the 200m
in Bilbao, Spain, earlier today

"There were issues with David's 100m which didn't go as well as they could," explained coach John Powell, "but that is work in progress, and there won't be too many 17-year-olds out there getting this kind of experience, which was the whole purpose of the exercise.

"The 200 was far better though," he went on, "especially as he didn't really feel up to it after two rather modest 100's.  It's a pity the wind was illegal again, but one day we'll get really good conditions, and he'll hopefully do himself justice.  It was very satisfying to see him win only his second trop onto the European circuit though!"

David attempts to impress coach John Powell, who ponders on the merits of divine intervention!