Spain takes silver in the European cross country mixed relay

The Spanish team, composed of Jesús Gómez, Solange Pereira, Adrián Ben and Rosalía Tárrega, won this Sunday in Turin (Italy) the silver medal in the 4×1.500m mixed relay of the European Cross Country Championships, just one second behind Italy and seven ahead of France.

The fall of Jesús Gómez from Burgos at the first pole, on a very slippery downward curve, was finally decisive. because of the seconds lost in getting back on track. He took the lead with the Italian but the accident relegated him to fifth place.

Galician Solange Pereira received the fifth baton, 6 seconds behind Italybut reacted until he was second, before giving way in the final stage until he was fourth.

Another Galician, Adrián Ben from Lugo (Olympic and world finalist in the 800), improved to third place and, five seconds behind Italy and equal to France, they passed the baton to Rosalía Tárrega from Albacete, debutant in the absolute Spanish team, who starred in an excellent post.

The athlete led by Juan Carlos Galán took the lead at the last corner, but the effort paid off in the last few meters and gave France the sprint title.

Since this discipline was introduced to the continental cross country program in 2017, Spain just missed its podium appointment last year in Dublin, where the team finished fifth. Spain debuted with bronze at Samorin 2017 (Slovakia), became champion the following year at Tilburg (Holland) and third again at Lisbon 2020.

The mixed relay is the fourth Spanish medal at these Europeans. Previously, the U-20 men’s team won the bronze medal, and in the same category María Forero from Huelva was proclaimed champion ahead of a Spanish team that also won the gold medal.