Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo has to take a forced break on the way to Paris. But unlike an unlucky former European champion, she has secured her Olympic ticket.
Germany’s athletics star Malaika Mihambo has been slowed down on her way to the Olympic Games. The consequences of a corona infection have forced the Olympic long jump champion to forego the German championships from Friday to Sunday in Braunschweig. Former European champion Konstanze Klosterhalfen has also canceled her participation in the national championships.
“I was really looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd, it was always a great competition and a lot of fun,” said Mihambo on Wednesday. She is currently not fit enough health-wise “to compete in a competition. I started light training again yesterday and am very confident that I will soon be able to reach my full potential again.”
The decision to withdraw was made on the advice of doctors. “The title fights in Braunschweig are still too early for a start,” said national coach Ulli Knapp.
Mihambo and Neugebauer greatest hopes
In addition to decathlete Leo Neugebauer, who made a big impression this month with another German record, two-time world champion Mihambo is Germany’s track and field athlete’s big hope for gold in Paris. While Mihambo and Neugebauer have long since secured their Olympic tickets, Klosterhalfen will most likely be absent in France.
“I didn’t give up hope until the very end and did everything I could to keep my chances of competing in the German Championships and at the same time meeting the Olympic standard. But I have to admit that I’m not ready yet,” said the German record holder over 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Even though she’s feeling better after missing the European Championships due to illness, she’s not yet back to top performances. “It’s not easy for me at the moment,” said the 27-year-old, who took part in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics.
Mihambo again unlucky in title fight
Mihambo won the European Championships in Rome two weeks ago with a world best of 7.22 metres. Now, after her recovery and the setback in training, she wants to get herself into top shape for the rings spectacle.
Mihambo is once again unlucky in the title fight due to the corona infection. A year ago, Germany’s three-time Sportswoman of the Year suffered a torn muscle fiber at the German Championships in Kassel and was unable to compete in the World Championships in Budapest, where the German Athletics Association won no medals.
“Borderline experience” after Corona at the European Championship 2022
At the German European Championships 2022 summer fairytale, the athlete from LG Kurpfalz fought her way to silver just a few weeks after her World Championship title, weakened by a corona infection. “That was a special achievement. It was a very intense competition and definitely a borderline experience,” Mihambo told the German Press Agency a few weeks ago. “The competition also helped me to recognize my own limits even better.”
Klosterhalfen, who became the celebrated European champion over 5,000 meters in Munich two years ago, has to deal with another difficult year. Last year, the 2019 World Championship bronze medalist missed the German Championships and then the World Championships in Budapest due to a foot injury.
“Curtain” falls at the weekend
The German championships in Lower Saxony are the last chance to position yourself for an Olympic nomination. Around two dozen athletes including Mihambo have already secured a place in the Paris squad through a direct norm. “The curtain will fall after the German championships,” said sports director Jörg Bügner. The nomination will take place on July 5.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
