Dafne Schippers following bronze medal win in Euro 100M final: It feels like gold

Quite surprisingly, Dafne Schippers felt elated after only managing to finish third in the 100M final at the European Championships now taking place in Berlin, Germany. The Dutchwoman who also won a bronze medal in the event last year at the World Championships in London said that she was "elated" by the fact that she actually made the podium.

Schippers, who is also the two-time reigning World Champion in the 200M was aiming for a hat-trick of 100M titles following previous wins in 2016 and 2014 but fell way short of her best as she was beaten into third place by Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith who won in a world leading time of 10.85. Germany's Gina Luckenkemper was second in 10.98 and Schippers ran her season's best time of 10.99 to salvage the bronze medal and most importantly her waning reputation this year following a torrid time in the Diamond League meets in which she is yet to finish on the podium in the 100M.

Speaking to reporters following the race a smiling Schippers had this to say:

"I can't be any more elated. In fact I am ecstatic by my third place finish. I ran my fastest time of the year in the final and I can't ask for anything more. I actually made the podium."

Asked if she felt that she could have won the race and make it three consecutive European Championship 100M titles in a row, Schippers was as candid as can be when she responded:

"I'll be as frank as possible with you. This year I have not been in my best form. I have missed the podium in all the 100M races that I have ran so far in the Diamond League so to actually get the bronze medal in the European Championships given the not too impressive season that I am having is quite satisfying indeed. In fact, it feels like gold."

Questioned about whether she can redeem herself in the 200M and capture the gold medal in that event, Schippers responded:

"Of course. That is my better event and being the World Champion I have a reputation to maintain. So if Dina thinks that she is going to do the double in the Euros this year she has another thing coming. I must remind her that as the World Champion in the event I intend to win the European title too seeing that I skipped the 200M two years ago."

She concluded:

"And if winning the bronze medal in the 100M felt like gold for me, winning gold in the 200M is going to feel like platinum."