There was a stirring victory in the women’s 10,000m by Anika Thompson, only the second ever Irish gold medal in the history of the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen on Friday (18).
Bergen 2025 is being live streamed on the European Athletics website courtesy of Eurovision Sport.
Thompson saw off German Kira Weis in the final lap after both athlete had ran in lock step at the front of field right from the gun. But Thompson who had tracked Weis’ every step, found a bit extra on the last lap and pulled away with 200 metres and onto gold in a national U23 record of 32:31.47.
Weis took silver in 32:36.62, adding to the European U20 5000m silver she won two years ago at Jerusalem. German teammate Carolina Schäfer who won bronze in 33:04.43. Another German, Nele Heymann, was fourth in 33:27.48. All three German athletes new personal bests.
Thompson, Weiss and Schäfer took charge right from the start, opening an early gap in the 28 strong field. Schäfer dropped off the pace at around 3km, but dug in bravely to grab bronze in what was largely a solo run.
"A dream of mine"
But the race belonged to Thompson, who joined Sophie O’Sullivan winner of the women’s 1500m two years ago in Espoo 2023 as an Irish gold medallist at the European Athletics U23 Championships.
“This win makes me feel really honoured and happy because Ireland is my country where my family comes from,” said Thompson, a USA-based University of Oregon runner. “I grew up going to Ireland every summer and it was a dream of mine to grow up and represent Ireland in track and field.
“So this really means a lot to me and I have always wanted to have a race where I could give thanks to all my family, friends, coaches and especially my family members who came here to support me.”
