Last year, Sam Parsons was in the final over 5,000 m at the World Championships in Athletics in Eugene. The German-American fell in Budapest – and then gave deep insights into his inner life.
The 29-year-old was completely crushed during the ARD interview and even seemed to be thinking about the end of his career. He had a fall two laps before the finish and then tumbled to the finish line without a chance in 14:03.14 minutes as 20th, almost half a minute behind the heat winner Mohamed Katir from Spain (13:35.90).
“It’s so hard on my head. I don’t know how much longer I can go on with this”, Parsons said, visibly touched. He had subordinated everything to the highlight of the season. “It’s really sad for me. I’m 29 now and there isn’t that much money” to earn.
“Wanted to put on a good show”
ARD moderator Claus Lufen encouraged the long-distance runner: Please take some distance from this bitter disappointment for this decision. “I wanted to put on a good show for the kids at home on the TV and for the people in Germany to be proud of me. I know how important it is that someone competes in the 5,000m here.”declared the EM sixth devastated.
Last year it was one of the best days of my life and this time I’m laying on the track. That has never happened to me.
“The last three months have been so difficult for me to just be able to stand here on the track. I’ve given so much to be here.” After the German championships in Kassel at the beginning of July, his Achilles tendon was gone “so bad” been that he even considered an early end of the season. Shortly after the DM, a bee had stung him. “I’m allergic, so I had to go to the hospital.” When the association then nominated him for the title fights, he cried with joy.
Last year in the final of Eugene
Last year in Eugene, Parsons was in the final and bravely finished 15th. “That was one of the best days of my life.” Now the fall that shook him deeply: “I have no idea what happened. I’ve never fallen, it was the first time in my life.” The DLV athlete may have walked into the heel of Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir. “This is sport, sometimes it goes so high and sometimes so low”said Parsons.