Stanislav Yemelyanov takes first gold of European championships

Russian teenager Stanislav Yemelyanov took the first gold medal of this week's European championships with victory in the men's 20-km walk on Tuesday.

Yemelyanov finished in a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 10 seconds with Italy's Alex Schwazer, Olympic champion in the 50-km walk, 28 seconds behind. Portugal's Joao Vieira finished third to repeat his bronze medal of four years ago.

"I tried to catch up with Yemelyanov but he was in top shape today. Now I hope to recover in time for the 50-km walk," said Schwazer, who is also entered in Friday's longer event. 

The 19-year-old Yemelyanov, in his first year competing as a senior, was ahead at the eight-kilometre mark.

He raised his arms aloft as he crossed the line after 20 laps on Barcelona's streets and was immediately handed a Russian flag, which he draped around his shoulders.               

The women's shot put (1735 GMT) and the men's 10,000 metres (1905) are the other finals scheduled to take place on Tuesday.