Russia's Olga Kaniskina says she is glad to have won the gold medal in Women's 20K Walk at the European Athletics Championships in Spain's Barcelona, which adds to her previous champions titles.
The 2008 Olympic Champion and two-time World Champion from Russia covered the 20-km distance in Barcelona on Wednesday in 1 hour 27.44 minutes. The silver and bronze went to her compatriots Anisya Kirdyapkina and Vera Sokolova respectively.
"This is my first title in the European champion, so I am gradually filling my collection of awards," the 25-year-old athlete said.
She added that she felt very comfortable on the Spanish track as she raced toward the finish line.
"I really liked the track in Barcelona. The one-kilometer laps helped to keep my closest competitors under control... It was comfortable to walk, but I did not force the development of events and am glad that we [Russians] managed to win all the medals," Kaniskina, the owner of the Olympic record in 20K Walk, said.
Kirdyapkina and Sokolova finished the race in 1 hour 28.55 minutes and in 1 hour and 29.32 minutes respectively.
This is the second gold for the Russian team in Barcelona. Stanislav Yemelyanov won the Men's 20K Walk on Tuesday.
MOSCOW, July 28 (RIA Novosti)
