Alexander Doom breaks records to become European 400m champion
Belgium's Alexander Doom won the 400m at the European Athletics Championships in Rome on Monday, breaking both the Belgian record and the championship record. Teammate Jonathan Sacoor finished fourth. The victory is Belgium's second gold medal after Nafi Thiam's success in the heptathlon on Saturday.
Doom ran the 400m in 44.15, breaking his own national record, set during victory at the World Indoor Championships in March. Sacoor also ran under 45 seconds with a personal best of 44.98, finishing in fourth place. Silver went to Britain's Charles Dobson and bronze to Dutchman Liemarvin Bonevacia.
Earlier on Monday, decathlete Jente Hauttekeete finished second in the high jump competition with a jump of 2.08m. That earned him 878 points, giving him 3,345 points after four elements and putting him in eighth place. Thomas Van der Plaetsen is in 20th place out of 24 competitors. The competition continues on Monday evening.
On Tuesday, several Belgians will again compete in events including the 4x400m relay. Florent Mabille, Robin Vanderbemden, Christian Iguacel and Dylan Borlée will run for the Belgian Tornados, while for the Belgian Cheetahs, Cynthia Bolingo, Naomi Van Den Broeck, Imke Vervaet and Camille Laus will compete.
Jonathan Sacoor and Alexander Doom celebrate after the men's 400m final at the European Championships Athletics in Rome © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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