Athletics

A RACE WALKER got a step ahead of herself – before embarrassingly being pipped on the line.Laura Garcia-Caro thought he was about to win bronze in the women’s 20km race walk at the European Athletics Championships in Rome.Laura Garcia Caro thought she was about to win a bronze medal in the European Athletics ChampionshipsCredit: GettyHer premature celebrations were cut short by Ukrainian Lyudmyla OlyanovskaCredit: GettyGarcia Caro missed out on bronze in the 20km race walkCredit: GettyShe headed into the final 400m around the track inside the stadium with a good lead in third – so much so that she was handed a Spanish flag.So just as she approached the finish line, Garcia-Caro punched the air in delight with a beaming smile and even stuck her tongue out on the brink of her first major athletics medal.But the 29-year-old had absolutely no idea Lyudmyla Olyanovska was right on her tail after closing the gap on the home straight.And with five metres to go of the 20,000, the Ukrainian managed to pull alongside her celebrating rival in dramatic scenes.READ MORE ON SPORTGarcia-Caro’s face suddenly dropped from one of sheer delight to one of utter horror and dismay as it became clear what was unfolding.Olyanovska had all the momentum and speed and managed to overtake just two metres from the finish line.Garcia-Caro did not have any time to react and was left bewildered by the comeback and sheepish from her blunder that meant she came fourth. The BBC Sport commentator called the action: “Oh my word, she’s been caught. I can’t believe it. Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I cannot believe it.”No warning, too much noise in the arena, nobody could tell her, ‘Watch out, watch out.’Inside Team GB star Molly Caudery’s glam lifestyle as she aims for Olympic gold”And she was caught literally two or three strides from the line, in fact she’d started celebrating arms in the air.”Incredibly, both Olyanovska and Garcia-Caro crossed the line after 20km of walking in official times of 1:28.48 – 40 seconds behind winner Italian Antonella Palmisano.But it was clear the Spaniard had been beaten to bronze and said: “I was really tired on the last lap. I did my best.”Plenty of fans chipped in with brilliant responses to the chaos.One said: “Never celebrate too early😂”Another wrote: “Lesson of the day: don’t get cocky until you’ve actually got the result.”A third added: “She’s got the flag and everything!! Silly girl 🤣”A fourth commented: “Absolutely love it when this happens.”And a final user replied: “And now she’s a meme, what a consolation prize.”And bronze-medallist Olyanovska – who served a four-year doping ban from 2015 to 2019 – said: “Today is a happy day for me winning this bronze medal.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The most important thing is that I need to say big thank you to my mother, and my father and the whole of Ukraine. It is a very emotional moment for me.”Of course, I was tired in the last kilometre and last metres, but I wanted to win this medal for my country so much.”The Spaniard had her arm up in celebration five metres before the lineCredit: X @BBCSportHer face dropped when her rival overtook in the final momentsCredit: X @BBCSportThe pair crossed the line with the same official timeCredit: GettyFans said the Spaniard should now have learnt her lesson the hard wayCredit: Getty More

GEORGE MILLS will accomplish something his former Premier League star dad never did on Saturday night — a run-out at the Stadio Olimpico.Rome’s famous football stadium is hosting the 26th edition of the European Athletics Championships.George Mills is set to achieve a feat his famous dad didn’tCredit: GettyDanny Mills played in Europe for Leeds UnitedCredit: GettyDanny Mills, winner of 19 England caps, kept the subs’ bench warm when Leeds played there twice in European competition in 2000.In March 2000, the Whites drew 0-0 with Roma in the Uefa Cup and then in December, Lazio were defeated 1-0 in the Champions League.Yet both times Mills, now 47, was an unused sub.Fast forward 24 years and the Mills family will be in the Italian capital to see George race in the European men’s 5,000 metres final on his outdoor international debut.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSAll eyes will be on whether he — or fellow Brits Jack Rowe and James West — can challenge Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen.Mills Jr, 25, said: “It’s exciting to be in such an iconic stadium.“I’ve watched football played there on the TV but never been before.“It has a similar aura to Berlin’s Olympic stadium. It will be cool to step out there.Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I’ve got the family coming out — my parents, one of my brothers, my sister and some family friends, too.“Every part of you goes into a race thinking I can beat anyone there.The meteoric rise of England star Adam Wharton“But Jakob’s bloody good.  He has won the last two world championships over 5k. I’ll try to put myself in the best positions to be up there.”Mills has prepared by taking inspiration from four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah.He said: “I’ve been recently watching a lot of Mo’s races from 2011-2013.“Even ones that weren’t so successful to learn what 5k races can be like.“I cannot give away all the secrets I’ve picked up, otherwise people will copy my homework!”Mo Farah is among George Mills’ sporting heroesCredit: REUTERS More

ALICA SCHMIDT was buzzing after meeting Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Berlin.The German capital hosted the European premiere of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die on Monday night.Alica Schmidt met Will Smith on Monday nightCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdThe German athlete got Smith to sign her jerseyCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdSchmidt, 25, poses for snaps with Smith and Martin LawrenceCredit: Instagram / @alicasmdSchmidt has five million Instagram followersCredit: alicasmd/InstagramSmith, 55, and Lawrence, 59, walked the blue carpet ahead of the screening.As they did so, they were greeted by an excited Schmidt.The popular German athlete, 25, wore a glamorous black dress as she headed to the event.When presented with the opportunity, Schmidt went bounding over to Smith and Lawrence to shake their hands.READ MORE ON ALICA SCHMIDTShe then asked them to sign her jersey, with the star duo gladly obliging.After the signing, the trio beamed as they posed for pictures.Posting a clip of the exchange, Schmidt wrote: “Not @willsmith and @martinlawrence signing my jersey. Can someone pinch me.”Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth flick in the popular franchise series.Most read in AthleticsIts world premiere took place in Dubai last Wednesday, and was attended by Smith’s estranged wife Jada.Schmidt, meanwhile, has qualified for this summer’s Paris Olympics.World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a monthShe will compete in the 4x400m relay for her country.Earlier this month Schmidt, who has five million Instagram followers, revealed that she turned down a huge sponsorship deal worth six figures despite making only £611 a month as a professional athlete.She said: “Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand. But I wasn’t 100 per cent behind it.“I didn’t feel comfortable with that. That would have been in the mid-to-high six figures for a campaign.“In principle, I have to say that it is not easy for most German track and field athletes to make a living from sport.“Of course there is money to be made from competitions. In most competitions you don’t make any money.“Personally, I couldn’t live on these amounts alone, because for many competitions you still have travel and hotel costs, which aren’t always covered.“Most of us study part-time in order to build up a second source of income, or even have mini jobs that we do on the side.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSchmidt has previously modelled for Hugo Boss.In the role she rubbed shoulders with Anthony Joshua and Naomi Campbell at Milan Fashion Week in 2022.SEE MORE OF ALICA SCHMIDT’S GLAMOROUS LIFE…Schmidt is one of Germany’s top athletesCredit: GettyShe competes in track and field for her countryCredit: GettySchmidt was part of the relay squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games but didn’t competeCredit: ReutersSchmidt has acquired a cult following onlineShe has five million Instagram followersCredit: alicasmd/InstagramThe German is very particular about working with brands More