Shinkins disappoints in 400m heats

Ireland’s Karen Shinkins finished a disappointing fourth in her heat of the women’s 400m at the European Championships in Munich this afternoon.

The race was won by Russia’s Oleysa Zykina in a time of 50.47seconds. Shinkins, who was a genuine medal hopeful, was beat to the line by Germany’s Rockmeier and Italian Perpoli after running in second place for most of the race.

Heat 1

1Olesya Zykina (Rus) 50.47 Q

2Birgit Rockmeier (Ger) 52.28 Q

3Danielle Perpoli (Ita) 52.34

4 Karen Shinkins (Irl) 52.50

5Chryssoula Goudenoudi (Gre) 52.63

6Jovana Miljkovic (Yug) 53.72

Abandoned:Catherine Murphy (Gbr)