Archer feels 'cheated' despite silver medal upgrade News

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Archer feels 'cheated' despite silver medal upgrade

By Daily Sports on August 24, 2017

British steeplechaser Hatti Archer says she feels "cheated" after being upgraded to a silver medal for the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona.

Archer, who competed as Hatti Dean, came fourth but was promoted to bronze in 2015 after Spanish runner-up Marta Dominguez was found guilty of doping.

She will now be awarded the silver medal after Russia's Lyubov Kharlamova, who finished third, was disqualified.

The 35-year-old told BBC Sport she feels "sadness again" at the news.

"I was cheated out of so much, not just at the time but for all of my subsequent career," explained the former British record holder.

"I feel really sad that I wasn't able to enjoy competing as a European medallist - because I know what a confidence boost that would have given me."

I never had huge natural confidence in my ability on the track and my coach, Bud Baldaro, had to work a lot on that. I feel if I'd known at the time I was second in Europe then I would have had the confidence to achieve even more.

"European Athletics have confirmed the upgrade and say a medal for Archer will be sent to British Athletics in September."

It's obviously brilliant to receive it now rather than not at all but the difference that a European medal would have made to myself and my running career in 2010 is huge," she added.

•Photo shows Hatti Archer.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 24, 2017