Athletics: American links set gold standard: Five winners' medals for Britain

THE American connection helped Britain to collect two gold medals on the final day of the European Indoor Championships here. Du'Aine Ladejo, who recently returned from a six-year stint in the States, took the 400 metres title, and David Strang, a Scot who is based in Arlington, Virginia and hopes to remain there - the US Immigration Department permitting - won the 1500m.

The third British gold of the day was simply down to the Haringey connection as Dalton Grant, so unlucky so often in big championships, earned his first major international high jump title with a leap of 2.37m - a personal best. And Rod Finch, a 25-year-old sergeant in the 3rd Paras, added a bronze to Britain's collection in the 3,000m despite stumbling on the final bend. Five golds - Colin Jackson having won the sprint and sprint hurdles - represents Britain's best performance in terms of titles at this event.

Grant, characteristically, gambled boldly in his choice of heights, failing twice at 2.31 metres before keeping himself in contention with a clearance at 2.33.

When the home jumper, Jean-Charles Gicquel, cleared 2.35 to huge acclaim, it seemed Grant would have to settle for another silver to go with the one he won in these championships five years ago.

Grant responded once again, however, to clear 2.37 at his second and final attempt to earn the gold which his efforts in raising British high jumping to world-class level over the last six years richly merit. Only one Briton has ever jumped higher - Steve Smith, who chose not to compete here.

'Championships like this always bring out the best in me,' Grant said. 'I've never been out of the top 10 since I broke into it in 1988.'

Strang, world indoor silver medallist at 1500m last year, won his first major title with a wise and controlled performance. Boxed in for most of a bumpy race, he bided his time until Branko Zorko, the Croat whose fast finish made him the biggest threat, made his break in the back straight.

'I couldn't get out immediately to challenge him,' Strang said. 'But I didn't panic. I was proud of myself.' The Croat was overtaken around the final bend, and Strang held on.

He now faces the further challenge of convincing the US authorities - who have refused to grant him a Green Card on the grounds that he is not a world-class athlete - that he should be allowed to re-enter the country. Strang's lawyer will be on stand-by when he flies into Washington, his training base, tomorrow. The problem should be solved in September, when he plans to marry his American girlfriend. But in the meantime, he is worrying about the Doomsday Scenario of deportation.

Strang is intensely proud of his Scottishness, as only expatriates can be. He wore his Black Stewart tam-o'-shanter to and from the medal ceremony.

Ladejo also emphasised his allegiance to Britain after lunging over the line ahead of Mikhail Vdovin, of Russia, in 46.53sec. Ladejo tumbled afterwards, setting off a sequence of events that left all three medallists sprawling on the track. None of them minded.

'It has been my dream to raise the flag for my country,' said Ladejo, who was born in Paddington but went to high school and university in the States before returning last year. 'And I love it. I love that feeling.'