In a tempo battle, Mama Gesa Krause is out of breath.
15 Months After Giving Birth to Daughter Lola, Gesa Felicitas Krause Competes in Her Fourth Olympic Final. In a High-Speed Race Over 3000 Meters Steeplechase, the German Can't Keep Up with the Top Favorites. Her Participation is Impressive Nonetheless.
Gesa Felicitas Krause fought, she gave her all - and staggered exhausted across the finish line: But her big dream had long burst. About 15 months after giving birth to her daughter Lola, Krause had no chance of winning a medal in the 3000 meters steeplechase at the Olympics. Krause finished 14th and second-to-last in the Stade de France in 9:26.96 minutes.
"This was definitely not my race," said Krause with tears in her eyes: "And that's really bitter when an Olympic final just doesn't go as planned from start to finish. When you consider how much you've invested to be here today, you'd like to have presented yourself better."
In a true speed battle, the Bahrain-based world champion Winfred Yavi (8:52.76) won gold ahead of Uganda's Peruth Chemutai (8:53.34). Bronze went to Kenya's Faith Cherotich (8:55.15).
At her fourth Olympic appearance, Krause had once again hoped for the big upset, having finished fifth in Tokyo three years ago, sixth in Rio, and seventh in London. But the competition was too strong for the former world bronze medalist. Lea Meyer finished tenth in Paris with a new personal best of 9:09.59 minutes. Krause's training partner Olivia Gürth was eliminated in the preliminary round by a hundredth of a second.
"Lola has naturally changed my life completely"
Krause's family cheered her on from the tribune, all the sacrifices and hardships of the past months had already paid off for Krause just by participating in her fourth Olympics. "Of course, the dream is to win a medal. But it's very difficult to achieve. I know that too," she had said beforehand. But Krause, who had already won silver at the European Championships in Rome this season, gave it her all. But she had to let go early.
And yet: Just her final participation was a success for Krause. "Lola has naturally changed my life completely," she had said. Her sporting goals, however, remained extremely high, as always with Krause. Rarely can an athlete push themselves as much, be as disciplined, work as hard on a plan. Everything for the big dream - which didn't come true.
Since December, the Hessian has been in four training camps in South Africa and Kenya - all as a mother of a young daughter. Her days were meticulously scheduled, that's the only way to manage the daily life of a mother and Olympic athlete. The race in front of over 60,000 fans in Paris could have been Krause's last big appearance in the world's athletics arenas, perhaps a switch to the road is coming. "I won't stop," she had said before the final, but left open how it will continue.
Despite her postpartum return to athletics, Gesa Felicitas Krause found the 3000 meters steeplechase at the Olympics challenging, as she admitted, "Lola has naturally changed my life completely," indicating the balance she now maintains between motherhood and her athletic pursuits. Despite finishing 14th in the event, Krause's dedication to her sport remained unwavering, as she had participated in multiple training camps in South Africa and Kenya while being a mother.
