TUTTON AND HEARD SOAR ON THEIR SENIOR DEBUTS

On the opening day of the European Team Championships, two GB&NI debutants put on a royal performance in the pole vault staged in front of the Royal Palace in the blazing Madrid heat.

Gemma Tutton (Richard Pilling, Lewes) finished 5th on her senior debut and secured a significant 12 points for the GB&NI team. Burning her hands in the warm-up wasn’t the start she was looking for, but the athlete from Lewes dug deep. After fouling twice at 4.30m, the 20-year-old used the crowd atmosphere to clear it, giving her the momentum to clear 4.45m on her first attempt to set herself a new personal best by 3cm.

The athlete based at Dukes University in the USA said: “It was such an exciting start with a bit of drama! Competing against my idols has been an incredible experience. Stepping into the hotel, I have been star-struck over and over again.

“Every single cheer, and even a flag I noticed, really means a lot. I only had one attempt on my personal best, and there were quite a lot of cheers, which really helps.”

Owen Heard (Kate Rooney, Harrow) finished 9th on his senior debut after jumping a season’s best of 5.45m. He unfortunately had to retire after his attempt at 5.60m, tweaking his hamstring in the run-up. He won a vital nine points for the GB &NI team.

The 2025 British Indoor Champion said: “I am very proud of how I performed despite having a small injury stopping me from attempting the next height. Which I was confident I would have got.

“I still hit a PB from a short approach and less than ideal prep coming into the competition, so I am proud of how I have performed and would love to do it again. The crowd and the atmosphere were amazing.”

The event is being live streamed, including event highlights, will  be available on the European Athletics website and Eurovision Sport

Live results will be available on the European Athletics website: https://www.european-athletics.com.