Spikes10 Mar 2014


Sopot 2014: the best bits

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Sopot 2014 relay baton

A world record, major upsets, nail-biting finals... Sopot 2014 had the lot. Here's a quick race through three days of world indoor action.

Keeping up with the Eatons

Ashton Eaton in the heptathlon pole vault at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

“It's hard to break the world record every time. It was a good competition overall, and my wife did well, so it was a good family effort.”

Despite missing out on another world record, Ashton Eaton is in a league of his own in the heptathlon, winning gold with 6632pts. His wife, Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton takes silver in the pentathlon.

Vintage Fireman

Chris Brown silver medalist in the 400m final at Sopot 2014

“I guess I'm like fine wine, getting better with age.”

Chris Brown is 35, and showing no signs of slowing down. The Golden Knight takes 400m silver behind Pavel Maslak. Thinking about Rio yet, Chris?

Silva's hail mary for gold

Mauro da Silva celebrates long jump gold at Sopot 2014

“In the last jump, I told myself: it is now or never.”

Mauro da Silva saves his best until last in the long jump final, producing a Brazilian indoor record of 8.28m to clinch gold.

Job satisfaction

Valerie Adams after winning the shot put at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

“It is what I work for. It is what I crave every day. I love the competitions, everything about track and field. I love my life. I love my job.”

That's why she's the best in the business. New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams wins her third world indoor gold by 0.73m.

Tops off

Zhang Guowei in the high jump at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

As the competition heats up in a high quality men's high jump, Ivan Ukhov flirts with danger, Zhang Guowei bares his chest and Mutaz Essa Barshim takes his first major gold by clearing 2.38m.

Koneva's triple

Ekaterina Koneva Russian triple jump at Sopot 2014

Ekaterina Koneva on her way to triple jump gold, and we get a great worm's-eye view of the Ergo Arena.

Shelly-Ann strikes again

The women's 60m final at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

"I’m not one of those people who check statistics. I just line up and I compete."

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce absolutely storms out of the blocks to win gold in the women's 60m final. It was the Jamaican athlete's first ever major indoor gold.

Say what?

Chanelle Price, winner of the 800m at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

"If you're gonna beat me, I like for us all to run fast. I don't like all that sit-and-kick. You don't work all year for that."

Chanelle Price's priceless reaction to winning the 800m in 2:00.09.

Big Broerson

The women's pentathlon 60m hurdles at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot

"I am just so happy. These are tears of joy in my eyes. My head is like a rollercoaster. I am pleased to win the gold medal, I did not expect this at all.”

Netherlands' Nadine Broersen can't quite believe it. The 23-year-old sets PB's in four of the five events to win pentathlon gold with 4830pts.

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