It had been four years in the waiting but finally the home supporters in Rovereto had an Italian winner to cheer about as their famous Vallagarina Cross Country meeting celebrated its 36th running.

Not even a legend such as Sergey Bubka could lay claim to the pole vault record Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie will be chasing at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in G teborg.

European Athletics recently concluded a survey where 32 member federations gave their inputs on the impact of European Athletics education measures since 2008 and their needs for the future.

Fionnuala Britton achieved her third outstanding victory in just over a month when she defended her title at the Antrim Cross Country on Saturday.

Laura Ikauniece is one of the rising stars of the multi-events, and now she is ready to make her career rocket.

Three different points in Europe will take centre stage this weekend as the new year cross country programme intensifies.