Summer Games in Paris: Märtens swims to fifth place: “Everything just hurt”

Lukas Märtens sat on the floor, completely exhausted, and had to collect himself. The Olympic swimming champion had given everything he had in his body for the possible second medal fairytale and had even been on course for gold for a long time. He ran out of energy in the final sprint.

“I was really keen to fight hard with the guys. I fought until the end, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for a medal,” said the 22-year-old after his fifth place in the 200-meter freestyle. “The last lane was just too slow for that, I just didn’t have the energy.” Even the encouragement of his teammate Florian Wellbrock, who also had to deal with disappointment, didn’t help.

Märtens: “Everything burned down to the last tendon”

After winning gold in the 400 meters, Märtens finished the half distance in 1:45.46 minutes. David Popovici from Romania secured the victory. “Everything just hurt, everything burned right down to the last tendon,” said Märtens. “I tried to squeeze everything out of it.” Shortly after the race, he tried to see the bigger picture. “I have my gold medal and everything else is just a bonus now,” said Märtens.

Although he was not the favorite for gold, he went into the competition as a promising candidate for a medal. Märtens had traveled to Paris as second in the world rankings for the year over 200 meters. In the end, he was 67 hundredths of a second behind bronze and the American Luke Hobson. Silver went to Matthew Richards from Great Britain. Märtens was still in the lead at the last turn.

Wellbrock with disappointing start

While Märtens has already impressively shown what he is capable of with his gala performance in the La Défense Arena at the start of the pool competitions, Wellbrock has not yet managed to do so at these Olympic Games. Märtens’ Magdeburg training partner was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 800 meter freestyle. The 26-year-old swam only the twelfth fastest time in 7:47.91 minutes.

Wellbrock has had problems several times in the second longest pool distance. Most recently at the World Championships in February. He is considered stronger over 1500 meters and in open water. Wellbrock did not show any anger and remained cool in the interview zone.

“It doesn’t worry me now. We know how it works with the 800 meters,” said the open water Olympic champion. “Theoretically, I wasn’t even qualified. By a lucky coincidence, I got the course now and was able to use it as an introduction. I think it was important that I used it for my two top courses that are still to come.” Wellbrock only started because Oliver Klemet had given up his place. “Eyes forward. There are still two races to come,” said Wellbrock.

Unlike the Bremen native, the second German starter was “extremely satisfied”. Sven Schwarz finished after 7:43.67 minutes and qualified in sixth place for the final on Tuesday. Then Märtens will also be called upon again as part of the 4×200 meter freestyle relay.