Athletics





Britain top European medals table as Mekhissi-Benabbad makes good

By Mike Rowbottom at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich

Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbab, disqualified in the 3000m steeplechase, returns to win gold in the 1500m ©Getty ImagesFive golds on the final day of the European Athletics Championships here - from Mo Farah, taking his third consecutive 5.000 metres title, Greg Rutherford in the long jump, the men's and women's sprint relay teams and the men's 4x400m quartet - left Britain top of the table with 12 golds and a total of 23 medals, four more than their previous best in 2010.




Mekhissi-Benabbad puts his shirt, and foot, in his mouth as he is disqualified from European gold

By Mike Rowbottom at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich

Mehiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad clears the last barrier en route to a dq in the European 3000m steeplechase final ©Getty ImagesMehiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad confirmed his reputation as the enfant terrible of athletics here tonight as he was disqualified from what would have been his third consecutive European 3,000 metres steeplechase victory after he had celebrated down the final straight by ripping off his shirt and jamming it into his mouth as he cleared the final hurdle.