Jenny Meadows dedicates European Cup win to late father

By Richard Lewis 22/06/2008

Jenny Meadows celebrated one of the biggest wins of her career at the European Cup and then dedicated the victory to the memory of her dad, Keith, who died from cancer just two weeks ago. 
 
"He was with me," said Meadows, who ran with a black ribbon attached to her singlet and wore his wedding ring. 
 
Her father was diagnosed with the illness only six weeks ago and Meadows, from Wigan, came charging down the home straight to become only the second British woman to win the 800m in this competition. 
 
"My dad was my most avid fan," said Meadows, who won in a time of 2:01.20. "He was with me in this race and he will be with me in Beijing. He had been looking up ticket prices for the Olympics." 
 
She was never going to be beaten when she moved to the front to triumph from Elodie Guegan, of France, who ran 2:01.65, with Poland's Anna Rostkowska third in 2:01.82. 
 
Meadows was one of two British women winners in sweltering heat in the French Alps, her run being followed by a superb performance from Nicola Sanders in her first 400m of the season. 
 
Sanders came second to Christine Ohuruogu in the World Championships last summer and, even though she has a knee injury, she commanded this race. 
 
She came through in the final 150m to win in 51.17 seconds from Nataliya Pyhyda, of the Ukraine, who finished in 51.57. 
 
Britain's women ended the opening day of the competition in third place on 51 points, with Russia leading on 71 and Ukraine second with 58.