Alice Finot takes silver in 3000m steeplechase at European Championships

Alice Finot secured a silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, adding to France's medal tally. The 35-year-old French runner finished behind Germany's Gesa Krause, who won gold with a time of 9:03.30. Finot's own time was 9:14.24, and Olivia Gürth of Germany completed the podium with the bronze medal.

This silver medal represents a significant achievement for Finot, who was the defending champion after winning gold in Rome in 2022. While she ceded her European title, the podium finish at 35 years old was a moment of pride. "I am very proud, I could not have done better," Finot stated, expressing satisfaction with her "comeback."

Finot also highlighted the strong relationship she has with her Spanish coach, Manuel Martinez Ageitos, with whom she has worked since 2016. She described their partnership as being "good on a technical and human level."

The race itself saw a dramatic moment when German runner Léa Meyer fell near the finish line while contending for a medal. Other French athletes in the event included Clara Entresangle and Flavie Renouard, who finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively. Finot's silver medal brings France's total to five medals at the championships, following previous medals from Just Kwaou-Mathey (110m hurdles silver), Muhammad Abdallah Kounta (400m silver), Étienne Daguinos (5,000m bronze), and Laëticia Bapté (100m hurdles bronze).