A question of thousandths. Marcell Jacobs abdicates with honor. In one of the most spectacular finals of the 100 meters, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion he finishes fifth with an excellent time of 9,85, which however was not enough to get on the podium. The favorite wins and world champion Noah Lyles with 9,79, beating the Jamaican Kishane Thompson with the same time by just 5 thousandths. But all the athletes are there, very close and under 10 seconds.
Jacobs: “I gave everything, I believed in the medal”
“I can't be too happy, I had a very good reaction time, then there was a phase where I had to keep pushing and I wasn't able to. I believed in the medal, but I have no regrets because I gave everything. The others were going very well. I'm sorry because I wanted to celebrate another gold with all the Italians, but Jacobs' career doesn't end here,” said Jacobs who then reassured the Italians about his physical condition, explaining that his limp after the race was only due to a cramp.
Jacobs has endured a difficult season, with timed performances that rarely broke the 10-second barrier. Despite this, the Italian sprinter has always maintained confidence in his preparation, meticulously planned to reach peak form during the Paris Olympics.
In Paris, Marcell's performance was a constant progression. After a timid start in the qualifiers, he showed flashes of class between the semi-final and final. His time of 9,85, the third best ever for him, in other circumstances it would have allowed him to get on the podium.
Now theappointment is with the relay, where there is a gold medal to defend. Jacobs will look to bounce back in this competition.
100m: a spectacular race
The 100 meters final was incredibly tight, with all the athletes who ran under 10 seconds. It was a spectacular race. From first place with 9,79 to eighth with 9,91, the difference was minimal. Jamaican Kishane Thompson started very fast, immediately taking the lead of the race. However, Noah Lyles showed his extraordinary comeback ability, passing Thompson in the final meters and winning with a time of 9,79. Fred Kerley, another American favorite, took bronze with 9,81, while South African Akani Simbine narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with 9,82. Jacobs is fifth with 9,85 followed by the Botswanan Letsile Tebogo with 9,86, the American Kenny Bednarek with 9,88 and the Jamaican Oblique Seville with 9,91.
Kidney stones for Tamberi, Olympics at risk
They seem The Paris Olympics were truly haunted for Gianmarco Tamberi. After losing his wedding ring in the Seine during the opening ceremony, here is an even more serious problem: just 24 hours after returning to Paris, “Gimbo” developed a fever of 38,8°C due to a probable kidney stone, forcing him to postpone his departure. A problem that puts his participation in the Olympics at serious risk.
The shocking news arrived in the afternoon via Tamberi's Instagram profile: “Incredible… It can't be true. Yesterday, two hours after writing 'I deserve it' on social media, I felt a shooting pain in my side. I went to the emergency room, had a CT scan, ultrasound, blood tests... Probable kidney stone. And now I find myself, three days after the race for which I sacrificed everything, lying in bed, helpless, with a fever of 38,8..."
In his message, Gimbo expresses all his disappointment: “I was supposed to leave for Paris today and start my journey towards this great dream, but I was advised to postpone the flight until tomorrow, in the hope that, with a little rest, this nightmare will end. All I have to do is wait and pray... I don't deserve all this, I did everything for this Olympics, everything. I really don't deserve it."
However, Olympic champion noHe doesn't have the slightest intention of giving up. “Only one thing is certain: I don't know how I'll get there, but I'll be there on that platform and I'll give my all until the last jumpwhatever my condition. I swear it to you, but even before that I swear it to myself!”
Team Italia is waiting, with the Fidal medical staff constantly monitoring the situation, hoping that a little rest will allow Tamberi to recover. The high jump qualification are scheduled for August 7, with the final on August 10. Now all eyes are on the recovery of the sample.
