Bavarian capital Munich will host its second European Athletics Champs in history. This year's edition which part of newly-established nine-sport European Championships format - a small version of Euro Olympics - celebrates two important anniversary: 50th of 1972 Munich Olympics and 20th for European Athletics Champs.
First European Athletics Championships of new millenium, held in Munich in August 2002. Let's we remember some unforgettable moments from Olympiastadion in that summer.
AYHAN'S MEMORABLE FINISH
Turkey's first-ever global seniors title came in Munich 2002. 24-year old Süreyya Ayhan, Olympic and World Championships semi finalist, clinched the gold medal in 1500 metres final with a stellar finish over Romanian star Gabriela Szabo. Ayhan edged past Szabo only 0.02 seconds margin to broke Turkish record with 3:58.79.
RADCLIFFE'S HEAVY RAIN
Women's 10,000 metres final was an instant classic in Munich. Britain's Paula Radcliffe clocked 30:01.09 European record in the final with nearly solo running in a rainy condition. Radcliffe's still standing championship record distanced nearly 300 metres from second-placed Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland.
JACKSON-BACKLEY QUADRUPLE
35-year old world record holder Colin Jackson secured his fourth consecutive title in 110m hurdles. He recorded 13.11 win over indoor specialist Stanislav Olijars in the final. Another British athlete, Steve Backley also achieved same feat like Jackson as he retained his javelin throw title after beating Sergey Makarov by 49 centimetres.
KORZENIOWSKI SUPREMACY
Polish super walker Robert Korzeniowski produced only world record in Munich 2002. He retained 50km race walking title in Munich by clocking 3:36:39 - first sub 3:37 mark in history. Korzeniowski followed by Russian Alexey Voyevodin with four minutes gap and Spanish walking machine Jesus Angel Garcia came to the finish line after eight minutes!
GERMAN FINISH AT 4x4
Germany's golden girl Grit Breuer took a revenge in relay final after losing gold medal to Olesya Zykina from Russia at the very end of the championships. Germany have had single gold medal until 4x400 women's final start. Florence Ekpe-Umoh, Birgit Rockmeier and Claudia Marx remained in front with German vest until last change of baton. In the last lap, Breuer matched up with 400m gold medallist Olesya Zykina, and beat her with a super strong lap to clocked 3:25.10 at finish.
