EUROPE CAPTURES IAAF/VTB BANK CONTINENTAL CUP
**Lagat Achieves 5-K/3-K Double Victory**
By David Monti
(c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - used with permission

Overcoming yesterday's botched baton pass in the 4 x 100m relay, Europe captured the inaugural IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split, Croatia, today by a narrow margin over the Americas team, 429 points to 419.5.

The victory was particularly sweet for the Croatian fans who had the pleasure of witnessing Blanka Vlasic equal the world leading height of 2.05m in the high jump to close out a near-perfect season, scoring 8 points for the European team.

"This today made everything worth it," the 26 year-old European champion told the IAAF.  "I could retire tomorrow and I would have no regrets."

One athlete who could not be blamed for the Americas' loss was Bernard Lagat (USA).  The two-time Olympic medallist won his second event of the meet today, narrowly defeating Africa's Moses Kipsiro (UGA) 7:54.75 to 7:54.98.  Today's victory made Lagat, 35, the only double individual event winner in the meet.

"This is great because I was running against the best in the world," Lagat said after his 3000m victory which, like yesterday, was achieved using his superior closing speed.  He added: "In terms of strategy they went about in a similar way but this one was a bit more (difficult) because I had to look at all the other guys because we were still all together with 80 meters to go."

The other winners in the middle and long distance events today were Europe's Yuliya Zarudneva (RUS) in the women's steeplechase, Africa's Richard Mateelong (KEN) in the men's steeplechase, Europe's Hind Déhiba (FRA) in the women's 1500m, Africa's Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) in the women's 5000m, and Africa's David Rudisha (KEN) in the 800m.

Individual event winners earned USD 30,000, part of a USD 3 million prize money purse.

ENDS