European Championships 2018: Thousands take part in festivities as medal count rises

The first five days of competition at the 2018 European Championships have led to more than 180 medals being shared among 24 countries, with Russia leading the medal table, followed by Italy and Great Britain.

Sporting triumphs included thousands of fans cheering as the women’s road cycling event sped around the city’s streets on Sunday, with the gold going to Italy’s Marta Bastianelli.

Glasgow 2018 Championships director Colin Hartley said: “The incredible sporting endeavours combined with the carnival atmosphere has proven to be an overwhelming hit with visitors and residents.

“I’d like to thank all of our visitors – and residents – for helping to make the first weekend of the championships such an outstanding success.”

Yesterday, Team Great Britain took home a further five medals despite 200m breaststroke star Ross Murdoch finishing in fourth place.

Swimming stars Adam Peaty, Nick Pyle, Charlotte Atkinson and Freya Anderson received gold for the mixed 4x100m medley relay while James Wilby won silver in men’s 200m breaststroke.

In track cycling, Ethan Hayter and Oliver Wood nabbed bronze in men’s madison.

Alys Thomas and Max Litchfield both also took him third place medals in the women’s 200m butterfly and men’s 200m individual medley respectfully. But the team took a hit yesterday, when it was confirmed athletics captain Dai Greene was ruled out after his injury curse struck again.

The 2011 world champion, who is back in the squad for the first time since 2013, suffered a tight hamstring in the warm-up for the 400 metres hurdles heats on Monday.

He was seen limping away from the Olympic Stadium in Berlin to end his hopes of a remarkable revival in Germany.

A statement from British Athletics read: “Great Britain and Northern Ireland team captain Dai Greene has sadly been forced to withdraw from today’s qualifying round of the men’s 400m hurdles after his hamstring tightened during warm up causing him difficulty hurdling.”

On the first afternoon of competition – which consisted of qualifiers – Daryll Neita reached the women’s 100m semi-final on Tuesday after running 11.48 seconds in her heat, qualifying as a fastest loser.

“That’s all that matters [reaching the semi-final]. I’ve made it hard for myself now but I have got to fix it up,” she said.

Commonwealth champion Nick Miller reached the hammer final after a throw of 73.79m but Chris Bennett missed out while Sebastian Roger failed to progress from the 400m hurdles heats.

Dan Bramble qualified in fifth for the long jump final with a leap of 7.89m but Feron Sayers finished 15th with only the top 12 qualifying.

Today, Zharnel Hughes, Reece Prescod and CJ Ujah are aiming for the 100m title while Dina Asher-Smith is hunting the women’s crown.

Great Britain’s Olympic champion Jack Laugher begins his games campaign in the men’s 1m springboard at the Royal Commonwealth Pool this afternoon.

Laugher, who proved his form at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year by winning three gold medals, is the favourite but needs to watch out for “old hand” Patrick Hausding of Germany, who has 14 European titles to his name, world bronze medallist Giovanni Tocci from Italy and and Ukraine’s Oleg Kolodiy.

Meanwhile, the inaugural European Golf Team Championships at Gleneagles sees the return of live UK golf to free-to-air TV.

The Championships, which will comprise men’s and women’s team events as well as a mixed team format, will be screened live across the BBC network in addition to significant radio and online coverage.

Fronted by Eilidh Barbour, the BBC’s golf coverage from Gleneagles will see live action across Friday, Saturday and Sunday with highlights from the first two days of play. Callum Shinkwin and Lee Slattery will make up the first Team GB duo to take on the task, while Georgia Hall and Laura Davies will compete in the women’s competition.

Later in the week, road cycling returns, with time trials on Wednesday and the men’s race on Sunday.

Alongside the sporting achievements, the Festival 2018 cultural programme has captured the imagination, with hundreds of people taking part in a carnival procession on Saturday.

More than 700 marched between George Square and Glasgow Green, where have-a-go sports are on offer.

Other events included a mass ceilidh and concert in George Square.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

Swimming at Tollcross Swimming Centre – Finals from 4.30pm - 6pm 

Six gold events will take place at the East End venue today, including the 50m Butterfly men’s final, 100m women’s backstroke and four x 200m women’s freestyle relay. Teenager Jacob Peters is looking to make his mark for Team GB in the butterfly final. While the relay team will compete against current record holders Italy as well as the likes of Poland and Russia.  

Diving at Royal Commonwealth Pool – Finals at 1.30pm and 2.40pm 

The synchronised 10m platform women’s final and 1pm springboard men’s final will take place today. Cheng Eden and Lois Toulson will fly the British flag, facing the likes of Norway and Russia, in the synchronised event. While James Heatly is the only Team Great Britain member to take on the springboard challenge. 

Track cycling at Emirates Arena – Finals from 12.13pm to 2.03pm 

While there are dozens of heats taking place at the Emirates Arena and even more time trials throughout the city today, it’s the four gold medal events which are ones to watch. The elimination race men’s finals, Madison women’s finals and two Keirin finals, both men and women’s, will be held throughout the day.  

Glasgow Meets Berlin: A gala celebration at George Square from 6pm 

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and the Universität der Künste in Berlin join forces to celebrate the games. Through a live link, audiences in George Square and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the European Mile in Berlin can experience the concert together as both cities play host to the Championships. 

Aerial edge youth circus at Glasgow Green from 2pm 

In the first of two shows, members of the Aerial Edge Youth Programme will showcase their skills in silks, trapeze and aerial hoop to ground-based acrobatics, flips and tricks. As part of Festival 2018, spectators can watch the free and unticketed event from various park locations. 

DAY SIX: Travel and transport updates

THE Evening Times is bringing readers a daily breakdown of what’s on in and around the city during the course of the European Championships, along with the routes to avoid for those commuting to and from Glasgow.

Bus services between Glasgow City Centre and Glasgow Green are expected to be busier today, especially into the evening.

While routes surrounding Tollcross Road and Shettleston Road will also be busier before 9am and after 12pm due to swimming events in the area.

Closures will surround junction 15 westbound of the M8 and drivers have been advised to avoid the area if possible.

However, the entire motorway is expected to be overloaded with traffic during the time trial events which are taking place across the city.

Congestion is expected around key routes in the west of Glasgow, including the Clydeside Expressway, as well as the area surrounding Cathkin Braes Country Park due to a number of parking restrictions.

Both Ardencraig Road and B759 Cathkin Roads are also expected to be busier than normal. The advice from games organisers is to work from home if possible, while those who must venture out into the city have been told to avoid routes which are expected to experience congestion.

Two mountain biking trials, a cycling final, two swimming and a further two synchronised swimming events all taking place at various points across the city are among the reasons for the road disruption.

For more live updates on the travel situation or advice on how to get around the city during the games, visit getreadyglasgow.com.