Mehdi Baala defends 1500m title in Gothenburg. © Photo Run / Jiro Mochizuki

France’s Mehdi Baala defended his European Championships 1500-meter title in the only running final at today’s meet in Gothenburg, Sweden. The 27-year-old ran 3:39.02 minutes to beat the Ukrainian favorite, Ivan Heshko, who finished second in 3:39.50. Third was Spain’s Juan Carlos Higuero in 3:39.62.

Higuero and his Spanish teammates, Arturo Casado and Sergio Gallardo, took the initiative from the beginning, with Casado leading. Heshko and Baala ran more reservedly in the beginning, and then moved into second and third place after 800 meters.

“A dream has come true,” said Baala, who started his decisive move 300 meters from the finish. Heshko tried to close the gap, but could manage only to pass Spain’s Higuero. “I managed to defend my title, and I am very happy about it. I can’t believe it,” Baala said. He is now the only runner besides Great Britain’s Steve Cram to win two European golds at 1,500m.