The gold was won by compound archer Andy Rikunenko, and a very popular success it was too. Not only is Andy an all-round top guy, he has worked very hard, and the moment he clinched first place – beating a home archer, Italy's Sergio Pani, in the process – he prompted great celebrations among his Team GB colleagues.
Andy described the moment as 'simply awesome', and I am sure that anyone who has been fortunate enough to win a major championship will understand where he's coming from!
His next big date will be the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year. Compound archery is not included in the Olympic programme, so for Andy and other compounders it is a rare opportunity to take part in a multi-sport event, and they are all really looking forward to the experience.
Recurve is the Olympic discipline, and for those looking for guidance on British hopefuls with two years to go, then Simon Terry continues to stay ahead of the game.
Simon was a double bronze medallist at Barcelona 1992, who then gave up the sport for 10 years or so, rediscovered his enthusiasm, and returned to the sport with proverbial bells on! Over the past three years he has won medals at most major international tournaments, went to Beijing 2008 and he certainly has London 2012 in his sights.
Well, he came back from Rovereto with another medal, this time winning a bronze with fellow Beijing Olympian Charlotte Burgess in the mixed team event. This was the first time the mixed team competition had been held at a major championship, and Simon and Charlotte worked superbly together – in fact, they are already looking to do even better next time they have the opportunity.
Charlotte's performance was even more impressive given that she was feeling decidedly under the weather. Though one does wonder if the occasional cold actually spurs her on. Now this is not to say she should look forward to feeling rough, but interestingly, she had a horrible cold when she won gold at the first ever National Series Grand Final last October. It's just an observation, Charlotte!
In the individual event, Simon was outstanding in qualifying, but then went out in the first round of the head-to-heads, which was an enormous surprise to onlookers, and disappointment to him. But in fairness, it was extremely blowy, and while that's not an excuse, it can make shooting arrows more of a lottery than an art form. Anyway, there were no excuses from Simon, just disappointment. But he made up for it with Charlotte in that mixed tournament.
Obviously London 2012 is a great incentive for the recurve archers. The six that went to Beijing – Simon, Larry Godfrey, Alan Wills, Charlotte, Naomi Folkard and Alison Williamson – are all focused on taking part in an Olympics in their home country. But there are others who want a piece of the action too – so look out for the names Amy Oliver, 21, and Mark Nesbitt, who is just 18.
Amy, from London, has forced her way into the international squad this season, and done very well too. No medal yet, but she has certainly justified her selection, and is making great progress.
So has Mark Nesbitt, from Northern Ireland. An outstanding junior, Mark is having a great 2010 so far. He has been breaking records for fun up and down the country, and his performances have earned him selection for the first World Cup shoot of the season, as well as for the Europeans. Like Amy, Mark has yet to win a medal, though he came close at the first World Cup event of the year. He was a member of Team GB men's team that came fourth, after being pipped to the bronze medal by China.
But Mark's time will surely come, as will Amy's. And it can only be healthy for British archery, and for our prospects at London 2012, that hungry young archers like these two are snapping at the heels of established internationals.
So Andy's gold medal in the men's compound gave everyone a lift at the European Championships, and the outlook for Delhi is bright on this basis. And as the clock ticks down to the summer of 2012, British archery has much to be positive about.
