Oskars Grava finishes fifth in 200m at European Athletics Championships

Latvian sprinter Oskars Grava finished fifth in the 200 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Friday. He crossed the line in 20.28 seconds. The result cannot be ratified as a Latvian record because the tailwind measured 2.5 m/s, above the legal limit. Latvia's national record of 20.41 seconds has stood since 1996 and belongs to Sergejs Inšakovs.

Grava's time is the best performance by a Latvian athlete at these championships so far. In the final, Germany's Owen Ansah took victory in 19.95 seconds. Home athlete Zharnel Hughes was second in 20.16 seconds, while Italy's Eseosa Desalu and Switzerland's Timothé Mumenthaler shared third place, both credited with 20.26 seconds, so both received medals.

Grava had advanced from Thursday's heats by finishing second in his race in 20.69 seconds. In the semifinal he clocked 20.27 seconds and again took second, booking his place in the final.

Friday brought disappointment for other Latvians. Javelin thrower Anete Sietiņa failed to qualify for the main competition with a throw of 56.24 metres, placing 13th among 29 competitors. She missed the 12th qualifying position by 66 centimetres. Pole vaulter Valters Kreišs also fell short, clearing 5.45 metres to finish 17th in a field of 27.

Latvia is represented in Birmingham by seven athletes in four disciplines. The team consists of javelin throwers Anete Sietiņa, Patriks Gailums and Krišjānis Suntažs; pole vaulter Valters Kreišs; 200m runner Oskars Grava; and walkers Raivo Saulgriezis (marathon) and Modra Liepiņa (half marathon). The Latvian delegation also includes coaches Gints Palameiks, Mareks Ārents, Viktors Lācis, Ilmārs Saulgriezis, Andis Anškins and Modris Liepiņš, as well as physiotherapist Toms Zvonkovs. The championships conclude on Sunday.