ZURICH (AP) β Elmira Alembekova shook off her rivals late in the 20-kilometer walk Thursday for a breakaway victory and a first gold medal for Russia at the European Championships.
Behind Elembekova, Lyudmyla Olyanovska of Ukraine took silver and Anezka Drahotova of the Czech Republic earned bronze.
At 24, Elembekova won her first major title when she crossed the line in Zurich’s old town in 1 hour, 27 minutes, 56 seconds, beating Olyanovska by 11 seconds.
The third day of the competition also has finals in the women’s pole vault and javelin, and in the men’s triple jump, steeplechase and 110 hurdles.
