Titles more important than records, France's Lemaitre says

Barcelona: Newly-crowned European 100 metres champion Christophe Lemaitre made headlines this month when he became the first Caucasian to crack 10 seconds but the Frenchman says winning titles matters more to him than records.

The shy 20-year-old from Annecy set a French record of 9.98 at his national championships before heading to Barcelona, where he recovered from a poor start on a sultry evening at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday to claim gold.

"The joy of being European champion is much greater than running under 10 seconds," Lemaitre, wearing a cowboy-style straw hat given to him by a fan on his lap of honour, told a news conference deep in the stadium.

"The important thing for me is winning titles and that's what I am going to focus on," he added.

A former junior world champion in the 200 metres, the softly-spoken Lemaitre can double his gold tally today over the distance and is also planning to compete in the 4x100 relay on Sunday.

"There is a lot of work left to do and I'll keep the celebrations until the end of the championships," he said.

Lemaitre came late to athletics, debuting in 2005 when he was talent-spotted by a local coach and is still juggling his electrical engineering studies with a hugely-promising career.

Rest and recreation

He lists his hobbies as going out with friends, watching television or using his computer and insists he has no plans to abandon his studies.

"It's very important for me to maintain the balance between studying and athletics although I prefer to be on the track," he said.

Asked whether he was worried about the media attention his latest success would bring, he added: "Of course it is going to increase, just like for any champion of Europe.

"But I am aware that's part of the job and I'll deal with it the best I can."

On Wednesday, Lemaitre was crowned European 100m champion as controversial British veteran Dwain Chambers struggled home in fifth place.

In a surprisingly slow race, though, a performance of 10.11sec was enough to win and the French will be celebrating a double with Martial Mbandjock taking bronze.

Chambers had beaten Lemaitre last month in Bergen, but the British athlete failed deliver on the night, finishing fifth.

In a tight finish, the four athletes behind Lemaitre were all given 10.18sec with the bronze and silver going to Britain's Mark Lewis-Francis and Mbandjock, by the smallest of margins. "After a brilliant year my objective was gold. I didn't get a good start but I was able to pick my speed up well," said Lemaitre.

Lewis-Francis, a former world junior champion who has fought a series of injuries in recent years, was delighted with his second-place finish.

"I am the happiest man on the planet right now. It was an incredible race and I would just like to add that Dwain Chambers is a brilliant athlete and an inspiration to me since I was a kid."

Chambers, 31, the indoor 60m world champion who once served a two-year doping ban, said he would keep fighting in his career. "Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose but I'm happy for Mark, he has had to fight hard to get here," said Chambers.

"I had to rely on my experience which kept me relaxed but it wasn't enough to win. I just got to keep on ploughing at it until my opportunity prevails."

Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse dominated the women's 10,000m to win gold with a time of 31min 10.23sec, over 12 sec faster than second-placed Inga Abitova of Russia.