That is the ultimate article by Stuart Weir on the European staff championships, and I’m having fun with this one immensely.
Last ideas on the European Crew Championships
Solely in monitor!
When Belgian dash hurdler Anna Zagre bought injured and needed to withdraw from the race, it appeared an issue, however in stepped the staff’s shot putter, Joleon Boumkwo, utilizing a hardly ever used method, she walked between hurdles stepping over them. She completed 32.81. OK, the winner, Pia Skrzyszowska’s successful time was 12.77, however Boumkwo nonetheless earned a degree for her nation.
Watch the race at https://twitter.com/i/standing/1672640946163404803
Utility of the principles
On day 1 within the 100m, there have been clear false begins within the 100m. Yellow and inexperienced playing cards had been proven. Okay, I assumed, identical to the Decathlon/Heptathlon, the place there’s leniency for a false begin, they’re making use of a distinct rule right here. All very smart. Then within the hurdles, Ditaji Kambundji jumps the gun and is DQed. What’s going on?
Within the dash relays, there have been seven DQs. Over-zealous utility of the principles? GB was DQed in each, and the lack of 25-30 factors – 0 factors for DQ towards an anticipated 25-30 factors for 2 good finishes – stored GB out of the medals.
Certainly a time penalty moderately than DQ can be higher for a contest of this type.
And one thing I’ve stated earlier than, we embarrass ourselves by permitting groups to undergo the blended zone and discuss their glorious race solely to be DQed lengthy after they’ve gone.
The place does the occasion match?
I had a chat with the GB Technical Route, who helps the Crew Champions however raises the basic query: “The place is its place in a really congested calendar?
European Athletics most likely wants to have a look at that: the place does it slot in a congested calendar? In the event you take a look at all the highest nations, we have now all struggled to place full-strong groups out. If that’s the purpose of the competitors, then it’s going to be very tough to achieve that, notably as Diamond Leagues get larger and the Continental Gold meets get larger”. However he provides: “However you take a look at the thrill within the GB staff although, and the kids which have come into the staff, and you’ll say it has a spot.”
Jade Ive pole-vaulted to 2 PRs, and for Maguire, that may be a nice instance of the positives within the occasion: “In the event you had been, to sum up the competitors, European Crew Championships, it’s most likely that – you’re giving individuals alternatives, and Jade went out and delivered. Super efficiency. Anyone who can compete like that on their first worldwide will get a PB; hats off to them”.
Novice or skilled?
Ekaterina Stefanidi informed me: “We’re skilled athletes, and we ought to be paid to compete right here”, a view that resonates with Maguire: “Completely. And I feel you understand, I’d agree with that. Athletes ought to be rewarded as skilled individuals, and I feel if we’re critical about enhancing the standard of competitors with the very best athletes, they should be paid. I’m completely enthusiastic about that”.
Too many athletes in races.
With 16 athletes – one every from 16 international locations – the shorter races had been run in two heats. One 800m runner informed me how pretty it was to run a race of 8 athletes when so many trendy races have 2 athletes to a lane and pacemakers. Alternatively, Ellie Baker of GB was one of many favorites within the ladies’s 1500. She was operating properly till she was clipped thrice from behind – properly thrice that I noticed – and misplaced all momentum. 16 is simply too many in 1500.
Crowd
The shortage of spectators was a large disappointment, with hardly greater than 5.000 – in a 50,000 seater stadium in whole over the three days. For all that on the in the future (Saturday) once I left the venue by automotive, we had been caught up in a large site visitors jam. Extra vehicles than individuals?
Relays
It’s hanging how a lot athletes like relays. Watching athletes hugging, taking staff images, selfies, and many others, simply proves the purpose.
