Danny Mills was proud as punch watching George, 24, finish second behind superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the European Championship 5,000m in Rome – but running star refused to celebrate
George Mills won GB’s first medal of the European championships by claiming silver in a crowded 5,000m.
But the son of former England and Leeds full back Danny said he will not take a second to celebrate his achievement because there is no time to waste in the dash for an Olympics spot.
Mills, whose main event is the 1,500m, spent much of the race in the front pack. It was just his second outdoor 5,000m but he ran smartly in a field of 27, staying out of the chaos behind. However Olympic and world champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen surged forward with just over 400m to go and the Norwegian’s class told as Mills held on for an impressive second in a time of 13:21.38.
And, with his dad watching on from the Stadio Olimpico sidelines, the 24-year-old said: “This is what I expect of myself. I want to win races.
“But there will be no celebrations. It’s mid-season, the season finishes mid-September. Maybe a Kombucha if I can find one but there’s not much of that in Italy. If you celebrate mid-season it’s a bit weird.”
And his proud dad said that he was more nervous watching than in any game of football he played himself, adding: “He executed it perfectly, pretty much. I know a lot of people get disappointed with silver and he probably will be but I think when it settles down and when he looks back at it, you know, to only lose to Jakob is a phenomenal achievement.
“He is one of the most dedicated athletes I know. I have spent my whole life in sport. And with George there’s no stone unturned. There’s nothing he will not do to make sure that he’s ready.
“And what some people forget is that’s only his third 5,000m ever – he’s only done two outside. But he believed in himself. And he backed himself. We’re a very proud family this evening.
“I sat on the bench twice for Leeds here and warmed up on the track – we won one game against Lazio and drew the other against Roma. So we’ve now both run on this track, but he was a bit more successful than me. So Rome’s a good place for the Mills family. I think we might come back.”
Immediately after that Romell Glave announced himself to the international circuit by holding on for 100m bronze in a time of 10.06sec, a race won by heavy hometown favourite Marcell Jacobs.
Glave was only a reserve for the 4x100m team that secured Olympic qualification in the Bahamas last month. But the Croydon athlete, who moved to London from Jamaica in 2015, was given his first senior GB vest for these championships.
And with Zharnel Hughes and Jeremiah Azu both late withdrawals, Glave made the most of his opportunity under the spotlight. Having won his semi-final in 10.11sec, he returned an hour later to go even faster.
“I am grateful to be here and get the opportunity to showcase my abilities against the best in the world. That is one of my goals this year, competing against the best so I can go on to better things. I am happy with a bronze medal but not satisfied.”