European cross country championships, three golds for Italy

European cross, three golds for Italy

Italy won the gold medal in the mixed relay at the ongoing European Cross Championships in Antalya, Turkey, confirming the one from two years ago in Venaria Reale.

Already on that team was Pietro Arese, a dragging force then and also in Turkey, who with a decisive final sprint completed the work carried out by Sebastiano 'Paro' Parolini, Marta Zenoni and Sintayehu Vissa. The Azzurri won on the 7500-meter course with a time of 18’02”, beating in order France and Great Britain.

Today Nadia Battocletti also won the gold medal in the women’s individual race. The Italian, Olympic silver medalist in Paris in the 10000 and double European gold medalist in Rome in 5000 and 10000, è the first woman ever to triumph in the three categories (U20, U23 and overall) in cross at the continental championships. Thanks to the results of the other azzurre, Italy won team gold.

Yeman Crippa won silver in the men’s race. The only one ahead of the Italian at the finish line è was Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who was the favorite and won the gold by eight seconds. Third place and bronze medal went to Spaniard Therry Ndikumwenayo.