Race walker Diniz gives France third gold at Europeans

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 10 (Reuters) Yohan Diniz gave France their third gold medal at the European championships today defying torrential rain to win the men's 50 km walk.

Diniz clocked a personal best of three hours 41 minutes 39 seconds for victory.

The 28-year-old, cheered home by the few hardy souls that had remained in the Ullevi stadium despite the conditions, was over a minute ahead of Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia. Russia's Yuriy Andronov was third.

Diniz's victory follows on from Mehdi Baala's successful defence of his 1,500 metres title and Marc Raquil's thrilling 400 metres win yesterday for the French.

The weather caused slightly more disruption to other events.

Eighteen pole vaulters will contest the men's final on Sunday instead of the usual 12.

It was a decision welcomed by Germany's double European medallist Tom Lobinger.

The decathlon long jump was stopped in mid competition and on resumption the athletes were given the option of taking their second round jump again.

Defending champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic was in joint seventh place on 865 points after the first event, the 100 metres. The 31-year-old world record holder clocked 10.98 to finish second in his heat.

Sweden's Kallur twins, blonde Susanna and brunette Jenny, had earlier delighted the crowd by qualifying for the second round of the 100 metres hurdles.

Defending champion Glorie Alozie of Spain, Germany's silver medallist from four years ago, Kirsten Bolm, and the surprise winner of the world indoor 60 hurdles title Derval O'Rourke of Ireland also went safely through.

World leader Wioletta Janowska of Poland advanced to the final of the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase after finishing second in her heat in nine minutes and 37.39 seconds.

Belarus national champion Alesia Turava, also a medal hope in the event which has been included for the first time for women at the Europeans, headed qualifying with 9:37.01.

Five-times world champion Lars Riedel made it through to Saturday's final of the men's discus. The 39-year-old German's throw of 63.36 metres was just under the automatic qualifying distance but only five men surpassed the required mark of 63.50.

Britain's Michael Rimmer was quickest in the first round of the men's 800 metres in 1:47.10.

REUTERS AY KP1910