Estonian man, Bahamian wife are a silver couple
Doha, Oct. 4: Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo and his wife, runner Shaunae Miller-Uibo of Bahamas, had two reasons to celebrate after they each won a silver medal at the World Athletics on Thursday.
“Both medals at the same time, on the same night. It’s double the joy,” Uibo told reporters after his final event.
Miller-Uibo, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist who had been favourite to win the 400 metres world title in Doha, finished second after Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain stunned her by running the third fastest time in the event’s history.
As Miller-Uibo crossed the finish line, her husband was preparing to run the 1,500 metres, the 10th and final event in the decathlon. He came in third, giving him the overall silver medal.
Uibo said his race preparations had prevented him from watching his wife’s race, but he was still keeping a close eye on the results.
“I’ve got to watch the race in the replay later on,” the 26-year-old said.
Miller-Uibo then hung around the track by the finish line to watch her husband race. “He was hoping for the gold. I knew he wasn’t quite that well in shape for his 1,500 metres, but he gave it his all. I’m so proud of him,” the 25-year-old told
Maicel was hoping for the gold. I knew he wasn’t quite that well in shape for his 1,500 metres, but he gave it his all. I’m so proud of him.
— SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO, Bahamian runner, who is married to Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo
reporters separately.
The couple, who had dominated their disciplines in the lead up to the Doha championships, took a joint walk along the track with their respective flags draped around their shoulders.
“As athletes we’re competitive. We train together, we practice at the same time sometimes,” she said.