Turkish athlete off to fast start

HELSINKI - Hürriyet Daily News

Polat Kemboi Arıkan became the first Turkish man to win a medal in the European Championships with his 5,000m bronze on June 27 in Helsinki.

Kenyan-born Arıkan, who first competed for Turkey in March at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul after being granted citizenship before the tournament, was quick to make his impact on the opening day of the European Championships.

Defending champion Mo Farah won the race with 13 minutes, 29.91 seconds, while Germany’s Arne Gabius won the silver medal with 13:31.83. Arıkan, who was unfazed by a shoe problem at the early stages of the race, finished with 13:32.63.

Another Turkish athlete, Gülcan Mıngır, yesterday qualified for the women’s 3000m hurdles final.
Turkish record-holder Mıngır won her heats yesterday and will run in the final tomorrow at 7:55 p.m. Turkish time.

In men’s race, Tarık Langat Akdağ and Hakan Duvar also qualified for the 3000m hurdles final.

Men’s 3000m hurdles final will be run tonight at 7:05 p.m.