Athletics-Double gold for Britain, Thanou booed

BIRMINGHAM, England, Mar 3 (Reuters) Gold medals for Britain's Phillips Idowu and Nicola Sanders put the hosts on top of the medal table at the European indoor championships today.

Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou was booed by some spectators in the National Indoor Arena as she lined up for the semi-finals of the 60 metres.

Thanou, 32, making her international comeback after a two-year suspension for doping violations, clocked 7.22 seconds behind defending champion Kim Gevaert of Belgium, who won in a world leading time of 7.10.

Gevaert, double European sprint gold medallist outdoors, defended Thanou, criticising the reception the Greek had received.

''I did hear a little bit of booing,'' Gevaert told reporters.

''I think it's a bit harsh. I wouldn't boo her myself because she's had her punishment. She's come back and I'm treating her like any other athlete.'' Britain's Jason Gardener remained on course for a fourth successive men's title, running 6.58 to beat European indoor record holder and fellow medal favourite Ronald Pognon of France in the men's semis. The finals are tomorrow.

IDOWU GLORY Idowu won an enthralling triple jump competition that did not suffer for the absence of injured Olympic champion Christian Olsson.

Nursing a bruised heel, Idowu sprang out to a championship record 17.56 metres - the best in the world this year.

Compatriot Nathan Douglas took silver with a personal best of 17.47.

''My aim today was to get a big first round jump in and then be a spectator for the rest of the competition,'' Idowu said. ''I have to give credit to Nathan though, he made me carry on jumping,'' the 23-year-old added.

Sanders made sure the wait for Britain's second gold was not long, attacking from the gun to win the 400 metres.

The fastest woman in the world this year over the distance had an unassailable lead going into the final straight and clocked a national record of 50.02. Ilona Usovich of Belarus was second and Russian Olesya Zykina picked up bronze.

A huge cheer was reserved for Ireland's David Gillick who retained his men's title, overtaking Germany's Bastian Swillims in the final 50 metres. Robin Tobin of Britain edged Sweden's Johan Wissman out for bronze.

IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY Belgian Tia Hellebaut added the European indoor high jump title to her outdoor crown and then, in an impressive display, went on to set a championship best and world leading height of 2.05 metres.

The former heptathlete, who secured the gold with a jump of 1.99, also had a failed attempt at a world record of 2.09. ''The track was fast, the stadium and surroundings fantastic and the crowd created a great atmosphere,'' the 29-year-old said. ''It all really helped.'' Antonietta di Matrino of Italy won the silver on countback from Bulgaria's Venelina Veneva with both clearing 1.96.

Cosimo Caliandro went one better than compatriot Di Matrino, seeing off race favourite Bouabdellah Tahri of France for gold in the men's 3,000 metres.

Lidia Chojecka became Poland's first female European indoor champion at 1,500 metres and the 30-year-old could add a second gold medal when she defends her 3,000 crown tomorrow.

Danny Ecker won pole vault gold for Germany with a height of 5.71 metres on countback from Ukraine's Denys Yurchenko and compatriot Bjoern Otto.

Former European indoor pentathlon silver medallist Naide Gomez of Portugal leaped 6.89 metres to take the women's long jump title.

REUTERS SY RAI2348