Kim Gevaert Completes Sprint Double

Belgium's Kim Gevaert celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the Women's 200 meters during the European Athletics Championships in Goteborg, Sweden, Friday Aug. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (Anja Niedringhaus - AP)

GOTEBORG, Sweden -- Kim Gevaert completed a sprint double when she won the women's 200 meters on a remarkable Friday night for Belgian athletes at the European Championships.

Gevaert was never threatened, cruising home in 22.68 seconds, and fell into an embrace with Tia Hellebaut, a fellow Belgian who won the high jump moments earlier.

No Belgian woman had won a European outdoor title before Gevaert's triumph in the 100 on Wednesday _ and it was Belgium's first gold in 35 years. Two days later, Belgium has three gold medals.

"At home, everybody is crazy because of my 100 gold medal. I wonder what is going on right now in Belgium with three gold medals," said Gevaert, who had a pair of silver medals in the two sprints four years ago.

"Three gold medals are just wonderful for such a small country.

"Before the start I was watching the high jump and screamed when my friend Tia won the gold medal. Seeing her gave me so much motivation two minutes before my own start."

Hellebaut cleared 2.03 meters to win the best women's high jump competition in the history of European championships and set national and meet marks.

"I still do not believe what is going on here. I wanted to make a medal and jump a national record and now I am the gold medalist and jumped 2.03 meters!" Hellebaut said.

Jukka Keskisalo surged from behind and upset the favorites in winning the men's 3,000 steeplechase, and gave Finland its first gold medal of the Europeans.

Susanna Kallur delighted the home crowd by winning the women's 100 hurdles, adding to her indoor title.

But there was disappointment for the home fans when reigning world champion Kajsa Bergqvist lost her European high jump title.

Hellebaut edged Venelina Veneva of Bulgaria, who also cleared 2.03 meters. Bergqvist had to settle for bronze at 2.01. Blanka Vlasic of Croatia also cleared 2.01 but finished fourth because of more attempts.