GB's Asher-Smith claims European 100m gold in Rome

Dina Asher-Smith claimed 100m gold at the European Athletics Championships as British team-mates Georgia Bell and Lizzie Bird also achieved medals in Rome.

Asher-Smith took victory in 10.99 seconds, crossing the line ahead of Poland's Ewa Swoboda (11.03secs) and Italy's Zaynab Dosso to celebrate her first major international medal since winning European 200m silver in 2022.

Bell clinched women's 1500m silver in four minutes 05.33 seconds to achieve her first major international medal behind Ireland's Ciara Mageean.

Meanwhile, Bird replicated her European 3,000m steeplechase bronze medal-winning performance of two years ago in a time of 9:18.39 amid thunder and lightning in the Italian capital.

Great Britain climbed to third in the medal table after winning two golds on Sunday.

Asher-Smith's fifth European triumph followed team gold in the women's half marathon - led by bronze medallist Calli Hauger-Thackery - during the morning session on day three.

Mageean finished the strongest at the end of a tactical 1500m final to cross the line in 4:04.66 seconds for Ireland's second gold of the championships.

Britain's Jemma Reekie had appeared in control of proceedings but faded to finish fifth in 4:06.17, while team-mate Katie Snowden was ninth (4:06.83).

Bird, 29, was temporarily lifted to the silver medal position after winner Alice Finot of France (9:16.22) was disqualified for an infringement on the inside of the track.

But following an appeal, Finot was reinstated and Gesa Felicitas Krause of Germany (9:18.06) had to settle for silver.

European redemption for 'excited' Asher-Smith

Asher-Smith's experiences in Munich two years ago led the former 200m world champion to call for more research into the effect of periods on performance, after her 100m title defence was ruined mid-race by calf cramps caused by her cycle.

She bounced back from that setback to win 200m silver but, following a disappointing World Championships last summer where she finished eighth in the 100m final and seventh in the 200m, Asher-Smith split with long-time coach John Blackie in October, ending a 19-year partnership.

Having now moved to train with Edrick Floreal in Austin, Texas, this was a timely victory for Asher-Smith as she builds towards an attempt at winning her first individual Olympic medal at Paris 2024.

She was able to deliver in the final after producing a statement 10.97secs in her semi-final - the fastest time by a European woman this year.

Asher-Smith told BBC Sport: "I’m in a great place, but when you’ve got a few new things to get your head round sometimes it does take a little bit of time.

"Overall I’m really happy that I’m six-to-eight months into a new set-up and I’m here putting together performances like this back-to-back."

On the Olympics, she added: "I’m very excited. I think a European Olympics is going to be so much fun and, if I am being honest, my mentality this year is just chill out and have a great time."

Team-mate Amy Hunt, 22, finished seventh in the final in 11.15secs.

Bell has made great progress since returning to athletics post-lockdown, demonstrated by a fourth-place finish at the World Indoor Championships in March.

The 30-year-old still fits training around working full-time, under the guidance of team-mate Keely Hodgkinson's coaches Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows.

"Even six months ago winning European silver would have sounded crazy. I was unranked, unsponsored, and had a 1500m personal best of 4:06," Bell said.

"To see where I am now, I am very proud of myself, and I am excited for the future."

In holding out for European bronze, Bird also achieved the Olympic qualifying standard to ensure she will just require a top-two finish at the UK Championships, which double as the Olympic trials, on 29 and 30 June to secure her spot in Paris.

"I'm so happy with that," said Bird. "I'm having a day of sightseeing tomorrow and I might have some pizza and ice cream, but then it's back to work."

British athletes Morgan Lake, Elliot Giles and Jake Norris were also involved in finals on Sunday night.

In the women's high jump final, Lake made a first-time clearance of 1.90m but finished sixth after exiting following three failures at 1.93m. Ukrainian world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh took gold as the only athlete to clear 2.01m.

British team captain Giles, winner of European bronze in 2016, finished seventh (1:47.06) in the men's 800m final, won by Frenchman Gabriel Tual in 1:44.87.

Norris produced a best throw of 73.66m for 10th place in the men's hammer final, in which Poland's Wojciech Nowicki took gold with an unbeaten mark of 80.95m.

Elsewhere, Spain's Ana Peleteiro clinched the women's triple jump title with a fourth-round leap measuring 14.85m.

Charlie Dobson cruised through to Monday's men's 400m final.

The talented 24-year-old looked effortless as he set the fastest time across the three semi-finals in 44.65secs, having run under 45 seconds for the first time last month.

And Laviai Nielsen qualified for the women's 400m semi-finals by finishing second to Ireland's Rhasidat Adeleke (50.54secs) in a personal best 50.73secs.

But Alex Haydock-Wilson (46.05) - a late addition to the men's semi-finals after a qualified athlete withdrew with injury - and Victoria Ohuruogu (52.07) missed out on those finals.

Jona Efoloko, third in his semi-final in 20.73secs, and Jeriel Quainoo (20.81secs) were unable to reach the men's 200m final.

Alongside Britain's half marathon success on Sunday morning, Anna Purchase qualified for the women’s hammer final with a 68.91m throw - but Charlotte Payne missed out (68.47m).

Alastair Chalmers reached the men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals by finishing third in his heat in 49.71 seconds.

European Athletics Championships medal table

Italy lead the medal table ahead of France and Great Britain & Northern Ireland