THE IRISH TIMES Friday, June 15, 2001 ATHLETICS/HELSINKI GRAND PRIX: Former World junior champion Christian Malcolm proved himself the hottest sprint property in Europe last night with a brilliant double victory in Helsinki. Defying the cold conditions at the IAAF Grand Prix in Finland's 1952 Olympic Stadium, the 22-year-old propelled his thin Welsh frame to a convincing 200-metre victory in 20.40 seconds. Although Marlon Devonish ran the same time last week in Poland, the British selectors are almost certain to give the European Cup 200-metres place to the highly-talented Malcolm. This year's European Cup final takes place in Bremen on June 23rd-24th. Earlier in the evening on a soaking wet track, Malcolm scored a splendid 10.17 victory over 100 metres as he warmed up for his speciality event in fine style. "I'm well happy with that," said Malcolm. "I didn't expect to run so fast in either race as it was slippery out there. To go so fast was fantastic. It's still early days and my coach has again showed the importance of holding me back." Olympic champion Jan Zelezny beat a strong field in the men's javelin but pouring rain meant results for all events remained moderate. Zelezny was happy with his 86.84-metre winning throw but the world record holder, who relies on a fast run-up, said the wet track surface spoiled his performance. "Eighty-six point 84 (metres) is a very good result in this kind of weather. It is not possible to say how far I would have thrown on a sunny day," Zelezny said after the event. Konstandinos Gatsioudis of Greece was second with a throw of 84.14 metres, while local favourite Aki Parviainen came third with 81.66 metres. Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards failed to come to terms with the cold weather and rain in the Finnish capital and was easily beaten by a former high jumper, Christian Ohlsson. The 21-year-old Swede - winner of the European junior title two years ago - inflicted an unexpected defeat on the Olympic champion when clearing 17.08 metres, nine centimetres further than his exalted rival. Edwards, who set a world leading mark of 17.56 metres eight days ago in Milan, said: " I felt a cramp in my right side during my warm-up and it was very painful when I was competing. At 35 this is the sort of weather I do not need to be jumping in." Iwan Thomas continued his rehabilitation after two years of injury. After finishing third in Russia last Saturday, the Commonwealth and European gold medallist clocked 46.53 seconds in the 400 metres to finish in the same position as South African champion Hendrik Mokganyyetsi. Reigning Commonwealth champion Tony Jarrett clinched his European Cup final place when running 13.45 seconds behind Haiti's Olympic 2000 finalist Dudley Dorival, who won the 110 metres hurdles in 13.40 seconds. Eamonn Condon www.RunnersGoal.com
