Gold For Keatings At Euro's

 

by James Skitt - 26.04.10

Daniel Keatings became Britain’s first male gymnast to win a European Gold medal as he beat team-mate Louis Smith in the pommel horse at this weekends men’s European Championships in Birmingham.

On what was an excellent weekend for the hosts, Keatings and Smith were joined by Sam Hunter, Kristian Thomas and Daniel Purvis to claim silver behind Germany in Saturday’s team final, whilst Purvis also claimed an individual bronze in the floor.

Despite the absence of Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine from the Championships due to travelling difficulties, the results are still a huge boost for the British squad two years out from the London 2012 Olympics.

There was even more success for Britain’s junior male gymnasts, who won gold in the team final as well as three individual gold medals. Max Whitlock winning the floor and pommel horse, whilst Sam Oldham took gold in the high bar.

The EIS works in partnership with British Gymnastics to develop and deliver sport science and medical support services to the British Gymnastics World Class Programme.

Supporting British Gymnasts at the event are Louise Fawcett, EIS Head of Sport Science & Medicine for British Gymnastics, Dr Pippa Bennett, EIS Sports Physican, Lindy Lazig and Alistair Little, EIS Physiotherapists.

The Championships resume with women’s qualifying on Thursday, followed by the women’s team final on Saturday and individual finals on Sunday.

Photography © Getty Images