Lebedeva leads Russian sweep in long jump

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 28 (Reuters) Tatyana Lebedeva led a Russian sweep of the women's long jump at the world championships today to return the title to her country for the first time in a decade.

The 31-year-old had twin leaps of 7.03 metres on her second and third attempts for another world championship gold to add to those she won in triple jump in 2001 and 2003.

''The triple jump is more important to me,'' she told reporters.

''Long jump was kind of a warm-up.'' None of her rivals jumped over seven metres but despite her comfortable lead, the Russian sweep did not look likely going into the final round.

Tatyana Kotova's last gasp 6.90m put her in place for a fourth straight world championship silver but she had to settle for bronze when European champion Lyudmila Kolchanova pipped her with 6.92 metres on her last jump.

REUTERS BJR RAI2045