Thorkildsen interrupts bid to cheer girlfriend

Barcelona: Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen was so cool, calm and collected in winning Saturday's javelin final at the European championships he even found time to cheer on girlfriend Christina Vukicevic in the 100 metres hurdles.

While the break did little to halt the 28-year-old's successful hunt for another gold, fellow Norwegian Vukicevic just missed out on a medal behind Turkey's Nevin Yanit.

"It was fun watching her race," Thorkildsen told reporters. "We have a lot of free time in the javelin. We have six rounds and we have to sit and watch everybody else throw so I might as well watch my girlfriend run."

He was quick to go across and console Vukicevic with a hug and a few words after the race before setting about retaining his European title with a throw of 88.37 metres.

"He said congratulations and sorry for the fourth place and I just said good luck," Vukicevic told reporters adding she did not find it distracting when both competed at the same time.

"We're both very professional. He's working and I'm doing my work. I'm out there for 13 seconds and he's out there for an hour at least. We know what to do."