Former Miner takes gold in 100m dash at European Championships

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands–Former Miner Churandy Martina brought the host nation their first gold medal at the European Athletics Championships onThursday.

Martin took 17,000 fans by surprise at the Olympic Stadium, when he flew out from lane eight to take gold. The sprinter claimed the 100m title by a slim margin clocking in a time of 10.07, beating out Turkey’s Jak Ali Harvey and France’s European Jimmy Vicaut.

Martina’s victory makes him the first Dutchman to win at the event since 1938. The former Miner will compete in the 200m semifinalstomorrowand the 4x100m relay qualifying round onSaturday.