Irish outsider primed to outrun long odds

Day one
Eurosport 2, 9.30am
Jo Pavey toes the start line in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium this evening with two firm targets in mind – to retain her European 10,000 metres title and to run fast enough to become the first British woman to be selected for five Olympic Games. And all at the age of 42.

Pavey became the darling of the nation two years ago when the mum-of-two from Bristol battled bravely to her first international title in Zurich after two decades of trying.

But a chest infection set back her preparations for the Rio Games and saw her struggle in the Olympic trial race in May. The team selectors have told her that she needs to run faster than 31min 38sec tonight to be picked for next month’s Olympics. It is the sort of time which ought to win Pavey another medal.