Of Askanews
03-08-2024 – 19:34
Paris, 3 August (askanews) – A long-awaited debut, without unexpected hitches, but also with some problems to overcome in view of tomorrow. Marcell Jacobs, the 100-metre Olympic title holder, took to the track at the Stare de France for the heats that open the path to a possible reconfirmation. Difficult, very difficult given the quality of his opponents, but the Italian champion is ready for the challenge. He has been saying it for days and he repeated it again today: you need to go fast in the semi-final, very fast, to be able to earn the dream of another Olympic final. “You need to do less than 9.85” he said as he left the Mixed Zone after today’s race. He said it and said other things: “First impressions so-so, I didn’t start as I would have liked, so this didn’t allow me to find the rhythm in the second part of the race, but the goal today was to get through the heat, save as much energy as possible”.
Words spoken with serenity, even with smiles. Marcell doesn’t seem worried, even if he admits to “having started too hard without finding the agility”. This morning a 10.05 was enough with a certain clumsiness in the central phase of the race, overall it is the 13th qualifying time. Not much, but it’s just the heats and “tomorrow is another day”. As he also said a few days ago passing by Casa Italia, in the last four years his best races have always been on the occasion of important events. Compared to his best time of the season, 9.92, it is absolutely necessary to file down something significant to be able to continue dreaming. The president of Fidal, Stefano Mei, also said it bluntly in recent days: Marcell will take a tenth off. We all hope so. What is indisputable is that the three semifinals will be very hard fought and of the 27 on the track only eight will reach the final: the first two of each semifinal plus the two best times among the others. Jacobs will run second, in lane 8, alongside American Kenneth Bednarek, who, together with his compatriot Fred Kerley, set the best time of the heats, 9.97. Among the eight who are in the semifinals with Jacobs, four have done a better personal best than him this year. In short, the mountain to climb is quite high. However, the track at the Stade de France “is fast” according to Jacobs and tomorrow he has assured that he wants to make the most of it. There is also an appointment, also with history, for the other Italian Chituru Ali, who qualified for the semifinals with the 23rd time, at 20:05 on Sunday 4 August. (Leonardo Merlini).
Of Askanews
03-08-2024 – 19:34
2024-08-03 17:44:08
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