BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — French sprinting prodigy Christophe Lemaitre was crowned European 100m champion yesterday as controversial British veteran Dwain Chambers struggled home in fifth place.

The 20-year-old Lemaitre had shown what fine form he was in with a time of 9.98sec, the fastest ever by an athlete of European origin, at the French national championships three weeks ago.

In a surprisingly slow race, though, a performance of 10.11sec was enough to win and the French will be celebrating a double with Martial Mbandjock taking bronze.

Chambers had beaten Lemaitre last month in Bergen, but the British athlete failed deliver on the night, finishing fifth.

In a tight finish, the four athletes behind Lemaitre were all given 10.18sec with the bronze and silver going to Britain’s Mark Lewis-Francis and Mbandjock, by the smallest of margins.

“After a brilliant year my objective was gold. I didn’t get a good start but I was able to pick my speed up well,” said Lemaitre.

Lewis-Francis, a former World Junior champion who has fought a series of injuries in recent years, was delighted with his second-place finish.

Chambers, 31, the indoor 60m world champion who once served a two-year doping ban, said he would keep fighting in his career.

Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse dominated the women’s 10,000m to win gold with a time of 31min 10.23sec, over 12 sec faster than second-placed Inga Abitova of Russia.

Portugal’s Jessica Augusto picked up bronze.

A throw of 64.67m gave Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic gold in the women’s discus. There was no clear favourite in the tournament and the up-and-coming star, who is the reigning European junior champion, took full advantage by winning with her final throw.

Latvian Ineta Radevica pulled off a surprise in the women’s long jump to win gold with a jump of 6.92m.