Konstanze Klosterhalfen missed a medal over 10,000 m at the European Championships in Munich.
Konstanze Klosterhalfen fought, she gave everything – and after a hard 10,000 m and 31:05.21 minutes at the home European Championship in Munich, she dragged herself to the finish as an ungrateful fourth.
The German running ace was in the running for a long time, but after the new European champion Yasemin Can from Turkey stepped up the pace, Klosterhalfen had nothing more to worry about. Eilish McColgan from Great Britain and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter from Israel landed in front of the Leverkusen player.
“I had imagined it a bit differently,” said Klosterhalfen on “ZDF”: “That’s why there’s a bit of disappointment. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up with the speed increase.”
Tactically, Klosterhalfen behaved wisely at first, always lying in wait, never upwind. But seven laps before the end, the 25-year-old had to let go after Can’s attack, after another lap she was already more than 30 meters behind. And so the dream of a medal “at home” was over. Nevertheless, she showed a strong performance, staying just above her German record.
Corona disease throws Klosterhalfen back
Perhaps the corona disease had cost Klosterhalfen too much strength for a medal, at the end of June she had contracted the virus – and at the World Championships in Eugene she was already exhausted in the 5000 m lead.
But the German record holder had actually felt an upswing in training recently, her form improved again, at the Diamond League meeting in Chorzow a week ago she convinced over 3000 m and gained self-confidence for Munich. But it wasn’t enough for the very front.
“I’m generally in a better situation than before the World Cup, when I had to take another break from training,” Klosterhalfen said beforehand: “It’s going to be tough and demanding. But I hope I can leave with a smile.”
Klosterhalfen now feels so strong again after Corona that she even dares to start a double in Munich, on Thursday the final over 5000 m is still on the program. “I’ve always wanted to try a double start. Now is a good time to do so in front of a home crowd,” she said. Maybe then the dream of a home medal will come true.