2024-08-04 13:32:48
It has already been reported that the 20-year-old debutant of the Olympic Games Kreiš, who is the youngest participant of the competition, ranked in a shared 11th position in the qualification and reached the final.
He cleared the opening height of 5.40 meters on his first attempt, then also cleared 5.60 and 5.70 meters on his first run.
“Today was very successful, I managed to overcome all the heights with the first attempts. This was also the reason why I was able to qualify for the finals,” emphasized Kreis.
“I had the idea that you don’t need any “hanging out” and should only jump with the first attempts, there are no other options. If I wanted to make it to the finals, then I had to jump at 100% in the first attempts,” said the athlete.
When Kreis was trying to overcome the height of 5.70 meters, one of the French runners competed in the 800 meters on the treadmill, and the fans in the stands of the “Stade de France” stadium were especially loud. “I am aware that the support is not for me, but all that energy helped. When there are so many stands, noises, lights, the adrenaline is also higher,” the Latvian added.
The Latvian pole vaulter admitted that he had a feeling that he could also overcome the bar at a height of 5.75 meters in the qualification, improving his personal record.
“This time it just didn’t work out a bit. I lacked speed and height in the run. The race went on for so long that I had to sit down a bit. I tried to move and run the climbs, but my legs were still sitting. After such successful jumps with the first attempts, I lost a little power. It was possible, I could also to do, but I took a much harder round than at 5.70 meters,” explained the Latvian.
World record holder Swede Armands Duplantis also started in the qualification group together with Kreiš. The Latvian athlete discovered that such strong competitors give additional motivation to strive for higher results.
“At the end, when I was told that I qualified, he also came and congratulated me. Nice atmosphere. It gives me motivation. While I need an effort, for example at 5.70 meters, Duplantis can do it with his eyes closed. It gives me confidence that it is possible and I can do it too,” Kreis said.
The Olympic Games will take place in the French capital until August 11, and not only in the French capital, but also in 16 other places, including the French overseas territory of French Polynesia. The Games program includes 32 sports and 329 sets of medals will be distributed.
2024-08-04 13:32:48