Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith became the King and Queen of the double on a spectacular night at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships.
Less than 24 hours after winning the 1500m, the 17-year-old Ingebrigtsen sensationally banked his second gold with an even more remarkable run in the 5000m in a family one-two with brother Henrik taking silver.
No athlete had ever achieved the European 1500m/5000m double before and Ingebrigtsen truly has come of age.
Asher-Smith was the defending 200m champion and fresh from her glory in the 100m on Tuesday, she was irresistible again with an another awesome performance to once more defeat the Netherlands' Dafne Schippers.
But it was not just about the Ingebrigtsen family as the Belgium Borlee brothers – Dylan, Jonathan and Kevin – were part of the 4x400m relay team which won gold alongside Jonathan Sacoor.
If Jakob’s achievements stole the show on Friday, how could he come back for more of the same, such was the adulation he had received last night? But come back he did, pacing himself brilliantly throughout the 5000m with Henrik not far behind him for most of the race.
Spain's Antonio Abadia and Switzerland's Julien Wanders had shared the lead in the early stages with Türkiye's Polat Kemboi Arikan always looking a threat.
But as the pace increased with four laps left, Jakob moved up to fifth, two positions in front of Henrik, who has returned from surgery in style this year after taking fourth in the 1500m. Gradually Jakob moved in front and was leading at the bell from Henrik and France's Morhad Amdouni who was trying to close.
But the Norwegians were in control and with 150 metres left, Jakob settled it. He upped the tempo even more and soared away from his brother to win in a European U20 record of 13:17.06.
Henrik took second in 13:18.75 - his fourth medal at the European Championships - with Amdouni in third in 13:19.14 but there was only one story in town. The cameras in the Olympic Stadium quickly focused on the head of the Ingebrigtsen family - Gjert Arne - their father and coach, as the celebrations started.
One night after winning the 1500m title, the incredible Jakob Ingebrigtsen returned to the track to complete the 1500/5000m double at the age of 17!#EC2018 #TheMoment pic.twitter.com/e8kLbNIx72
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 11, 2018
Asher-Smith storms to a 21.89 world lead to win double sprint gold
Dina Asher-Smith has proved this week that she is the best sprinter in the world at the moment as she achieved a brilliant defence of her 200m crown.
After her 100m glory in 10.85, equalling the world-leading time and breaking her British record, she now has the outright quickest global mark of 21.89 after leading all the way from lane five and not letting Schippers, the reigning two-time world champion at the distance, anywhere near her.
It was perhaps the greatest performance of Asher-Smith's career as she combined power and speed with maturity and belief. Schippers, in lane four, proved her mettle on the big stage again by taking second in a season’s best of 22.14 with her Dutch teammate Jamile Samuel third in 22.37, equalling her personal best.
Dina Asher-Smith (@dinaashersmith) is the double European champion!
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 11, 2018
After winning the 100m title in a British record of 10.85, Asher-Smith storms to the 200m in another British record and world-leading time of 21.89!#EC2018 #TheMoment pic.twitter.com/j5tDoeqrQ3
And at 22, it is now only just beginning for Asher-Smith, with the World Championships and Olympic Games ahead of her in the next two years. But next up for Asher-Smith is the 4x100m final tomorrow.
As in the 100m, her time was a British record, on this occasion lowering her mark of 22.07 set three years ago at the IAAF World Championships in London. What a way this was to smash through the 22-second barrier for the first time.
'I thought 'maintain your form, relax and all the other tips my coach gives me' – but ultimately you have to run like a bat out of hell,' said Asher-Smith. 'The race was over in a blur. It was a mixture of happiness and relief.'
100/200m doubles at the European Championships.
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 11, 2018
Asher-Smith 2018
Schippers 2014
Gevaert 2006
Privalova 1994
Krabbe 1990
Szewinska 1974
Stecher 1971
Vogt 1969
Blankers-Koen 1950
Sechenova 1946
Walasiewicz 1938#EC2018 pic.twitter.com/moq9TS8cFG
Belgian Tornadoes retain their European 4x400m title
As defending 4x400m relay champions, Belgium were always the justified favourites but what a performance it needed from renowned relay exponent Kevin Borlee in the home straight to snatch victory from Spain's Bruno Hortelano in the final stages as Great Britain's Martyn Rooney came through for silver.
Two years on from their glory in Amsterdam, the Borlee brothers of Dylan, Jonathan and Kevin were gold medallists again as they combined with world U20 champion Jonathan Sacoor to win in a European lead of 2:59.47 from Great Britain in 3:00.36 and Spain in 3:00.78.
It was another excellent night for famous athletics families!
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 11, 2018
With three Borlees in the team alongside Jonathan Sacoor, the Belgian Tornadoes won back-to-back titles in the 4x400m.#EC2018 #TheMoment pic.twitter.com/G0vP7boC0k
But for long it looked like it would be Spain's night as they led nearly all the way until those final stages when Kevin Borlee took over.
Oscar Husillos, on the opening leg, had given Spain a brilliant start which was maintained by Lucas Bua and Samuel Garcia. Hortelano took over on anchor with a healthy lead but the 2016 European 200m champion - who has returned to the sport after a career threatening car accident in 2016 - tied up in the last 70 metres as Kevin Borlee came flying past.
Rooney, the former two-time European 400m champion, remains such a threat in the relays and the power he showed over the last 200 metres always ensured Britain would be among the medals. He also overhauled Hortelano for yet another medal in the 4x400m.
Amazingly the Ingebrigtsens and Borlees now have eight medals to take home with them from these European Championships. After Kevin's silver and Jonathan's bronze in the individual 400m, the Borlees have five after their relay success and the Ingebrigtsen's have three after Jakob's double gold and Henrik's silver.