The start times of the marathon at the European Athletics Championships will not be adjusted. About fifty athletes had asked in an open letter that the games be brought forward because of the high temperatures that are also expected on Monday.
The German athletics association DLV reported on Saturday that the European association EA has not complied with that request. The women start on Monday at 10.30 am, the men an hour later.
It is expected that Monday will be slightly less warm than at the weekend, but it will still be 24 to 26 degrees when the marathon runners come into action.
“It is the organizer’s task to protect the health of the athletes,” German runner Fabienne Königstein wrote in an open letter on Monday, which Dutchman Tom Hendrikse also signed.
“We all want the marathon to attract as large an audience as possible and that is why it is of course important that the race is broadcast on TV. But those considerations should not lead to health risks for the athletes.”
For the Netherlands, Nienke Brinkman is one of the contenders for a medal. Her name is not on the letter.