Koen Naert disappointed after 8th place at European Championship marathon

After about an hour and a half, Naert had to let the leading group run for the first time. After the Israelis accelerated, the athlete from Oostkamp had to release the role for a while. Koen Naert was able to rejoin, but had to pass definitively about 20 minutes later. The Oostkamper even had to fight a bit to finish in the top 10, but he eventually crossed the finish line in eighth in 2:11:28. A repeat of his feat, four years ago in Berlin, was not possible for Koen Naert today. He then became European Champion with a time of 2:09:51.

The German Ringer took the gold medal after an epic duel with Teferi. He finished in 2:10:21.

Disappointment prevails

“It was a very tough race,” Naert recalls. “From the start, a race was made, with many changes of pace. Until km 35 I felt very confident. My legs then filled up on the slope. I then wanted to recover in the descent. I normally manage that very quickly. I believed in it.” That moment still in a medal. But it didn’t work out. Ringer actually does what I had in mind. He comes back and eventually takes the gold.”

Naert has now lost his European title, and that hurt a lot. “I came to Munich at least for a medal,” he said. “I’ve done so much for this. I would have loved to give my son a medal. My family has to sacrifice a lot too. It’s very sad, I’m very disappointed. I gave everything. I’m going to have to console myself with that. You have to have a super day and I didn’t have it. I now want to go on a trip with my family and forget everything for a while.”