by Larry Eder
Lynsey Sharp, courtesy of British Athletics
Lynsey Sharp has had a fantastic few weeks. Her silver in the 800 meters in CG, now with her silver at the European Champs, and a PB, show that the Scottish 800 meter runner is becoming a factor in every race she is in! Here is Alex MIlls’ piece on his favorite British athlete of Saturday, August 16, 2014.
Lynsey Sharp showed the importance of momentum in professional sport as they built on their Commonwealth success to take European medals on the penultimate day of the European Championships.
Proving that that her performances in Glasgow were no fluke, Sharp took her second silver in two weeks.
Racing in the women’s 800m, Sharp ensured that there were virtually two races in one as the Scot and eventual winner Maryna Arzamasova broke away almost instantly, with Jessica Judd involved in a five way battle for third.
Pushing the pace, Sharp, not usually renowned for her front running, took the ascendency as she looked to reclaim her title in style.
While she seemed every bit the champion, she could not kick away from Arzamasova as hard she tried. The Belorussian, lurking in the shadow of the Scot, showed her composure as she let her take on the wind and mission that was leadership.
600m, 650metres to go, it seemed this would be the moment Sharp finally got to stand on the top of the rostrum. Unfortunately the heavy pace of a 27 second, third 200m began to take it’s toll on the reigning champion.
She was now 2nd.
Now fighting on empty there was no way back, she may not win the title this time but silver was going to be hers.
As she looked around in desperation to see the distance between her and her chasing rivals, Sharp could blow a huge sigh of relief, they had no chance of catching her!
She may have lost he title but she had run the race of her life.
Her new personal best?
A Scottish record smashing 1:58.80.
In light of her recent twitter falling out with fellow silver medalist Andy Vernon it seems almost poetic that both have gone on to win medals and in turn match each other’s achievements!
