Abdi Nageeye partly blames the wrong choice of shoes for missing out on a medal at the marathon of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. The Dutch record holder, who stopped the fight just before the finish, saw at the start that the competitors were all wearing a different type of shoes and feared the worst.
“I really think the shoes played a part,” Nageeye said shortly after he got out. On the course in the American city, he opted for the so-called Alpha Flies and not for the Vapor Flies, an older type with which he won the marathon of Rotterdam in April.
Nageeye had been convinced to walk on Alpha Flies this time. “They would have improved and I believe in the technique. After thirty kilometers I would benefit from it.
The first doubt about his shoe choice came at the start. “It was a mental blow when I saw that I was the only one in these shoes. I couldn’t switch anymore, because I only had this type with me.”
During the race it was confirmed that he should have chosen different shoes. “It didn’t feel right. I bounced across the road and was afraid I would fall if I hit someone. Meanwhile, I also looked around in the leading group. Everyone had chosen the old familiar shoes, except me.”
The World Championship podium of the marathon with Bashir Abdi (bronze), Tamirat Tola (gold) and Mosinet Geremew (silver).
The World Championship podium of the marathon with Bashir Abdi (bronze), Tamirat Tola (gold) and Mosinet Geremew (silver). Photo: AP
‘I’ve made more mistakes’
According to 33-year-old Nageeye, who was previously seen as a gold contender, it was not just the shoes that ensured that he did not live up to expectations.
“I’ve made more mistakes and that while I’m so experienced. How can I be so stupid? I dropped a hole, it shouldn’t have happened. And at the end I thought we had walked 41 kilometers, but it turned out there were to be forty.”
Shortly after, Nageeye dropped out of the marathon, which was won by Ethiopian Tamirat Tola. The Dutchman, who won Olympic silver last year, was on course for a top ten finish at the time, but he didn’t care.
“I got closer and closer to the chasing group, but it just wasn’t enough. When I realized that, my fighting spirit was gone. Then I immediately felt my thighs fill up. I cramped. It was done.”
Nageeye has no regrets about getting out. “I could have finished sixth, seventh or eighth here, but that doesn’t matter to me. If you go to sleep for three months with the thought that you are going to get a World Cup medal, then sixth place is just very bad. Then I save I prefer my body so I don’t have to rest as much for the next marathon.”
Disenchantment with Abdi Nageeye.
Disenchantment with Abdi Nageeye. Photo: AP