Norway’s brothers in arms advance at Euros
Guliyev in pole for 200m
BERLIN, Aug 8, (AFP): Norway’s defending European champion Filip Ingebrigtsen, along with brothers Henrik and Jakob, moved smoothly into the final of the men’s 1,500m after successfully negotiating their heats at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Filip, the sixth fastest European of all time over 1,500m who also won world bronze in London last year, clocked 3 min 40.88 secs in finishing third in his heat behind Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski and Briton Charlie Grice to progress to Friday’s 12man final. as well as over 1,500m and the mile.
“Of course I’m satisfied to get into the final,” he said.
“It’s all about training. We’ve been working really, really hard. I’m really excited.”
In May this year, Jakob ran a 3:52.28 mile, which included an incredible final lap of 55.42secs, showing how dangerous he could be should family tactics come to the fore come Friday.
“If anyone wants to join the Ingebritsen party, please do so!” said a buoyant Henrik, sporting a mohawk and bushy moustache.
“I’m a championship runner and I haven’t done a fast time this year, so I am confident.”
Filip admitted that “Henrik has more experience” as temperatures in Berlin soared above 34 degrees Centigrade (93F).
Italy’s US-born one-time long jumper Andrew Howe admitted he was looking for an unlikely reincarnation over 200m, 11 years on from his last major championships podium.
“After I tore my achilles tendon in 2011, I couldn’t continue with
Sweden’s Fredrik Samuelsson competes in the men’s decathlon javelin throw event during the European Athletics Championships at the
Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Aug 8. (AFP)
the long jump,” Howe said.
“I lacked that reactivity, so my coach suggested I switch to the 200m and it was a really good idea.”
Howe, who won the 2006 European long jump title and world silver in Osaka a year later, clocked 20.60sec in his heat to advance to semifinals later Wednesday.
In pole for the 200m will be Azeri-born Turk Ramil Guliyev, the reigning world champion who was pushed back into silver in Amsterdam by Spain’s Bruno Hortelano.
The Spaniard, born in Australia to Spanish parents who then relocated to Canada, insisted he was focused initially on the 200m.
“I feel stronger than ever,” said the 26-year-old, who missed all last season after a catastrophic car accident in Madrid, in which he was a passenger, that left him at risk of a hand amputation.
After consulting Spanish surgeon Xavier Mir, the go-to specialist for ranks of battered MotoGP riders, the amputation was avoided and the Cornell University genetics graduate made his return to the track.
He has since set Spanish records for both the 200m and 400m (20.04, 44.69).
“The 200m is my favoured distance and I have a lot less experience over 400m.”