French top athlete Veronique Mang goes for Gold France [22.06.2005] Veronique Mang the 20 years old sprinter could become the shooting star of the French team in the European Athletics U23 Championships in Erfurt. If the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in 4x100 m relay equals her personal best in 100 and 200 meters she should be in the running for a medal. In Tampere at the European U20 Championships two years ago she had to content herself with winning the silver medal. At that time Ivet Lalova from Bulgaria was faster. This time the duel between Manque and Lalova won´t take place. The Bulgarian is not able to compete in Erfurt because of a leg injury. That means the fast Frenchwoman, who also participated at the Olympic Games in Athens in 100 meters, is the favorite. The French Federation has named Lina Jacques-Sébastian and Veronioque Mang as the core members of the U23 sprint relay team that will compete for the European title. Some more medal candidates Eddy De Lépine (sprint), Elodie Guegan and Kevin Hautcoer (both middle distance- runners), Jérôme Clavier, Charles Andureu (both Pole Vault). Andurei finally was successful at the DLV- Juniors Gala 2005 in Mannheim. Nadir EL Fassi (Decathlon) become second at World Junior Championships in Kingston in 2002. Pole vaulter Charles Andureu has won in Mannheim (Foto: Gantenberg) They do not accept an easy inheritance. With nine medals, including 4 gold medals and four silver medals, France was one of the most successful nations two years ago at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz. Lithuanian hopes / Austrian trumps Lithuanias hopes for a chance of winning a medal with Viktorija Zemaityte. The tall athlete (1,84m) inspired the experts in Grosseto (Italy) in 2001 by winning the silver medal at the Juniors World Championships. Now she wants to continue with another podium place. Zemaityte will be a tough competition for the strong German Heptathletes. Austria also announced top athletes. Daniel Spitzl (1500m), Jennifer Schneeberger (Sprint), Marie Elisabeth Maurer (100m hurdler) and Veronica Watzek (Discus Throw) are going to Erfurt ready to fight for medal places. (tp)