European Athletics Championships: Marathon victories by wrestlers and women’s teams inspire

Under a white and blue sky, Richard Ringer savored the greatest moment of his career with his eyes closed and listened intently to the national anthem. His golden final sprint in the marathon should give the German athletics team the hoped-for boost for the European Championships in Munich.

With the first European championship title for a German marathon runner and before that the team victory for the German women on the longest running distance, the hosts in Munich made a dream start. In addition, there was silver for the men’s team, in the individual race Amanal Petros and Miriam Dattke finished fourth in a fascinating race, just missing out on further medals.

Konstanze Klosterhalfen also finished fourth in the evening over 10,000 meters after a spirited race and missed her German record by just a few seconds. Shot putter Sara Gambetta finished fifth. A discus trio around Kristin Pudenz is hoping for something countable after reaching the final, as is decathlete Niklas Kaul. The ex-world champion starts the second day in seventh place and, like Ringer, wants to start catching up.

Strong performance by Richard Ringer

“Incredible – I wanted to perform in 2018 and got out for the first time. And now I’m European champion,” said the 33-year-old wrestler, who stopped four years ago at the European Championships in Berlin over 10,000 meters. In the evening he was allowed to jog a few meters over the finish line in the Olympic Stadium to the cheers of around 20,000 spectators.

Petros, who was actually considered a co-favourite, was not surprised that the wrestler, who had fallen behind in the meantime, rushed past Maru Teferi from Israel 50 meters from the finish line at Munich’s Odeonsplatz and still won in 2:10:21 hours. “He originally comes from the middle distance. He did a great job, I’m proud of him,” said Petros.

The runner, who was born in Eritra, ran out of breath in the last meters, so it was only enough for fourth place, 18 seconds behind Ringer. That didn’t bother Petros: “I’m super, super satisfied. That’s how we won silver. It started very well for Germany.”

Ultimately, only Israel was better in the team. In addition, in warm but not too hot temperatures at lunchtime, Ringer not only helped the ice under his cap, which he threw away on the long home straight before igniting the turbo. Getting used to such weather through his training in America saw the European Championship third over 5000 meters from 2016 as a decisive factor. “Heat wave? Yes, long trousers are okay,” said the veteran from Rehlingen, grinning, to acclimatize.

Strong performance of the German runners

The German women were also allowed to celebrate together on the podium, although Miriam Dattke in 2:28:52 hours only had to concede bronze to Nienke Brinkman from the Netherlands at the same time. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old, who is running for Regensburg, said: “For me, fourth place is a dream, I didn’t expect it.” Aleksandra Lisowska from Poland won the first title at this European Championship in 2:28:36 hours. Silver went to Matea Parlov Kostro from Croatia.

German champion Domenika Mayer in sixth and Deborah Schöneborn in tenth ensured that the German team won the team classification. Rabea Schöneborn in twelfth place and Katharina Steinruck in 15th place completed the excellent team result.

Head coach “very, very happy”

Three weeks after the end of the World Championships in the USA with only two medals, the German Athletics Association was also very happy about the strong start to the European Championships. Association President Jürgen Kessing explained that exactly what had been wished for and hoped for had happened. “I assume that the spark was ignited within the team and that it spread to the audience. That was a good start today and it can continue like that.” The mood along the circuit through downtown Munich, which had to be completed four times, inspired everyone.