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World Veterans Championships
Week 2 Report


Report by: Martin Cunnane

29th July to 8th August 1999 - Gateshead



Brian Shearsmith

Wakefield Harriers' Brian Shearsmith returned with more world gold back to headquarters from the two week long World Veterans Track and Field Championships in and around Gateshead.

He won gold and silver In Great Britain's 4x400 and 4x100 relay squads on the final day of competition at Gateshead International Stadium

Shearsmith, who had gone to Gateshead fresh from his victory In the UK Veterans' 100m Championship at Meadowbank Stadium, Glasgow, just two weeks previously, competed in the over 55s 100, 200 and 400 metre races.

Unfortunately he failed to progress further than the semi-final in all three competitions, but his performances, however, did earn him selection to the 100m and 400m relay squads, where he helped the British team to gold in the 400m relay and silver in the sprint relay to add to the silver medals he won in the same events in the last World Championships held in Durban, South Africa, two years ago.

Jenny Cunnane, who had already taken gold in the pole vault and bronze in the hammer at the championships the previous week despite being hampered by a hand injury, ended her championships by finishing sixth in the hotly-contested 045s weight pentathlon.

After the competition she was advised by the physiotherapist to have the injury X-rayed and on attending the local accident and emergency department was found to have a broken middle finger on her right hand.

Cunnane is hoping to be able to represent the Harriers in the pole vault at the North of England Knockout Cup which will be held at Cudworth on 29th August.