2024-07-08 00:39:11
Next to the stick carpet, the stand, black with people, will almost increase. They may have tricolor flags in their hands, but the supporters only have eyes for Mondo Duplantis, the Swede who promises to win Olympic gold, in a few weeks at the Stade de France. In Charléty, Sunday, the world record holder (6.24 m) is satisfied with a tree at 6 m, more than his opponents of the day – American Sam Kendricks (5.95 m) back in front and Thibaut Collet (5.85 m), the new tricolor . hero of criticism – depriving the public of a new stratospheric performance. It almost doesn’t matter. While the sporting events will begin on Wednesday, August 1, there are promises of “crazy things” to experience.
At the Stade de France, the track will be purple and “very fast” according to those who tested it, Charléty’s blue set the tone. It was almost 6pm when Faith Kipyegon lit up the venue. In the stands, Marie-José, wide-eyed, could not believe it. At 3′49′′04, Kenya improved her world record by a few hundredths, setting the tone just before the Games.
A few minutes ago, the stadium was already shaken by the performance of the Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who removed, on her first attempt, a bar at 2.10 m broke the world record for high jump, held by from the World Championships . in Rome in 1987, Stefka Kostadinova (2.09 m).
The Mayer Dread
And the French in all this? While the same morning, France France established a list of 90 chosen (a record!) For the Olympics, the Blues, who will start the joint work on Monday in Insep, celebrated the event as it should. Except for one incident, it is not the least important. The tears and cries of Kevin Mayer, who fell in the middle of the 110m hurdles, revived concerns. The Frenchman, who was late to achieve the Olympic minimum in the decathlon, was lying on the track for a long time.
Having taken a stretcher, Mayer got up to leave Tartan, however he took the upper left thigh. Passed by the medical service, where the cries (of anxiety?) are heard again, the world record holder, who does not intend to line up in the 110 m hurdles on Sunday (the event has been a problem for him for a long time) .Osu), that is wet. “He thought he had broken his left arm,” people around him said Sunday evening. It is a shame that he has been bothering us since 2023… But he surprised us because he was not worried in the last training sessions and so he allowed himself to go out.”
Now, his dream of the Olympics is not gone and additional tests carried out on Monday morning will determine the effect of events. “We will know a little more about the extent of the injury,” we concluded. You are with your physical therapist and the following are planned to reach the best Games possible. “
After the horror, the Blues completely crossed themselves. Starting with Gabriel Tual, completely galvanized from his European title in the 800m last month. This time, he killed two of the best in the world at the time – Algerian Djamel Sedjati who won in 1’41”56 (a new national record and the best performance in the world of the time) and Kenyan Emmanuel Wanynonyi (1′41). “58, personal best). The Bordeaux player, surprise finalist in Tokyo, finished 3rd and broke the French record (1’41”61, 92 percent better than Pierre-Ambroise Bosse in 2014). ” It’s crazy,” Tual whispered. In training, we feel like we have great moments, I said to myself 1′42 is a game, but from there to 1′41″ 6, it is the moon. »
“I already told myself that I can be an Olympic champion”
“I did well from the start. At 600 m, I turn my head and I see 1’15, I say to myself wow it goes very fast, and at the same time, I feel really good. Upon arrival, I wonder what happened. 1′41″6 is wow. I ticked one more box. I would not have believed in such a time. » With 6 runners under 1’43, this 800 m is the fastest in history. Looking to “prove” that he is capable of fighting with the best, Tual, the world number 5 player of all time, now positions himself as a serious contender for a medal. “This kind of time gives you confidence,” he continued. We’ll have to show at the Games that I’m there, but it’s nice to tell myself that I’m worth 1′41 and I know how to do it. I was already telling myself that I could be an Olympic champion, now it is even more, I am with the two best in the world, I have all my cards to play. »
Alice Finot, the European champion in the 3,000m steeplechase may also have a card to play. Second in the 3,000 m steeplechase after Barheinie Yavi (9’3′’68), who took 5th place at the World Championships in Budapest last year without the best of form, improved his own French record in 9 ′5′ ′01. If there is no international circuit from the beginning of the season, Sasha Zhoya entered the big leagues by winning his first victory in the Diamond League, with a personal best (13” 15).
“There were a few mistakes, but it’s a good sign, it means I still have a chance to reduce the time,” said Defense Ladji Doucouré. I know I can be faster. When I come to compete, it is always to seek victory. Even more so close to the games. I want to put my name among the best hurdlers in the world. In this meeting, there are a large number of opponents that I will meet at the Games and I like to place myself in relation to them, to gain experience. This gave me confidence before Paris. »
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