Lemaitre doubles his pleasure, wins 200m

BARCELONA, July 30 (Reuters) - Christophe Lemaitre became the first Frenchman to complete a sprint double at the European championships when he clocked 20.37 to claim victory in the 200 metres on Friday.

Britain's Christian Malcolm was second in 20.38 and France's Martial Mbandjock finished third to add to his bronze from the 100.

Lemaitre had complained of tiredness in the 200 heats following his victory in Tuesday's 100 final and was in fifth as the runners entered the straight, way behind leader Malcolm.

But as the crowd leapt to their feet roaring support, he somehow found another gear in the last 30 metres and screaming overhauled Malcolm with a lunge at the line.

"On the curve, I tried to do everything I could to go as fast as possible and just resist to those coming from behind," Lemaitre, a former world junior champion at 200, told French television

"I gambled everything on the final stretch. It was really difficult because technically I was not that good. I fought until the end."

It was Lemaitre's sixth race unbeaten at the championships and his toughest victory.

The 20-year-old from Annecy threw himself to the floor and beat the bright blue track with his hand.

Malcolm said: "I feel a bit frustrated because I was so close," adding that he thought Lemaitre was a fantastic talent.

Lemaitre s also planning to compete in the 4x100 relay.

Portugal's Francis Obikwelu won both European sprint titles in Gothenburg four years ago.