Last updated at 14:43, Thursday, 29 July 2010

SILVER medal-winning athlete Chris Thompson heads into the 5,000m in Barcelona tonight with a spring in his step following his 10,000m success.

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Great Britain’s Chris Thompson (left) and Mo Farah with their medals from the European Championships 10,000m in Barcelona John Giles/PA Wire

The Barrow-born distance runner completed a British one-two behind Mo Farah at the European Championships on Monday.

He was presented with the silver medal at a ceremony in the Olympic Stadium last night and is now planning on doubling up in his favourite event.

“I will go into the 5k with a spring in my step,” said the 29-year-old Thompson, who was born in Barrow and is a big Barrow AFC supporter.

“This will give me loads of confidence and if I can perform as hard as I did on Monday then it’ll be another great night for British distance running.”

The heats for the 5,000m start at 5.45pm BST tonight, with both Thompson and Farah among the contenders for medals.

The British pair have been preparing with spells in an altitude chamber in Spain, as well as undergoing ice baths in the wake of the 10,000m final.

Thompson snatched silver on the line in that event, holding off Italian Daniele Meucci in a sprint finish after being urged on by Farah.

First published at 13:07, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk