France's Alice Penciu-Jurin delivered a middle-distance masterclass to win gold in the women's 1500m at the European Athletics U18 Championships on Saturday (18).
The European U18 leader was the pre-race favourite, with a personal best of 4:11.41 giving her an 11-second advantage over the rest of the field. And the French athlete ensured the race unfolded exactly as expected.
She tracked long-time leader Ayten Yobas of Türkiye before making her move with 600 metres remaining. Her initial surge split the field, leaving Germany's Mila Klein, Ireland's Emma Hickey, Italy's Cristina Morelli and fellow French athlete Celeste Lardon in a lead group of five as the bell rang, with Penciu-Jurin setting the pace.
The French athlete kicked again with 200 metres to go, and this time the move proved decisive, leaving the rest to battle for the silver and bronze medals.
Penciu-Jurin opened up a clear gap and crossed the finish line in 4:22.77. Hickey won the battle of the chasers, clocking 4:24.90 to add silver to the bronze medal she claimed last December at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in the women's U20 race.
"This medal means so much. All the training and hard work - it is just so relieving to finally prove myself on the track, because always I have lots of doubts. In training, I just have some bad days and it is good to show myself and anybody else what I can do on the track," said an emotionalHickey.
Klein edged out Lardon for bronze by 0.45 seconds in 4:26.49, while Morelli faded to seventh in 4:29.73.
*Geoblocking restrictions apply in territories where Rieti 2026 is being covered by a national broadcaster