(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 8 - Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Nadia Battocletti on Sunday won the gold medal at the European Cross Country Championships underway in Antalya (Turkey).
    The Italian, also double European gold medalist in Rome, became the first woman ever to triumph in the three categories (U20, U23 and overall) in cross country at the continental championships.
    The 24-year-old from Cles in Val di Non said: "The word for 2024 is inspiration. For today I took it from the great Andrea Lalli who until now had been the only one to complete the hat-trick and I am happy to have succeeded too. I am also very happy to have obtained a team gold which is historic: this National team has done really well, there are excellent young people and the results always have positive consequences on the whole movement".
    "What I'm doing day after day is thanks to the efficiency and professionalism of all my staff and the many fans who give me so much support: when I experience difficult days, I think of them and find the energy - said the athlete from Trentino, who won her third European gold in 2024 -. I didn't expect a race like this, with the breakaway of the Frenchwoman Trapp. I thought it would be pretty tough but not that I had to chase, then check, then start again. I rarely like to be behind, I want to have the situation under control". (ANSA).