Klosterhalen's displays raise concerns
Konstanze Klosterhalfen is known as Germany's best long-distance runner, but even the European champion is having a hard time getting back on track for the Olympic Games. And her national coach, Isabelle Baumann, is concerned.
No form found, no standards met: National coach Isabelle Baumann is concerned about long-distance runner Konstanze Klosterhalfen. As she said on Sport1, it's disheartening to see a defending champion have such a hard time like this. According to Baumann, Klosterhalfen hasn't really managed to pick up steam this season.
"I don't know why, except that it's difficult for her because she's trying to keep up with her previous performances," Baumann shared her thoughts on Klosterhalfen's situation. "She's definitely putting pressure on herself because she's not satisfied." Klosterhalfen would have a wild card for the European Championships in Rome (June 7 - 12) as the defending champion, but she's still in need of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26 - August 11). So far, she's made three attempts at meeting the standard for 10,000 meters (30:40.00 minutes), with a personal best of 31:07 minutes in a road race in Spain.
Coach Baumann, who's married to Olympic champion Dieter Baumann, is optimistic about the chances of Klosterhalfen bouncing back. "There's no magic in sports, but her talent gives her a shot at regaining her form," she said. "It's going to be tough because there's not a lot of time left."
Klosterhalfen debuted the season in February with a half-marathon after dealing with some significant injury issues. She had to abandon the race. In early July, she had to pull out of the 2023 German Championships due to a stress reaction in her foot. Then, she also missed the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. Klosterhalfen still hadn't shown her full potential. In October, she confided to the "Bonner General-Anzeiger" about her dream of competing in Paris in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meter events.
Read also:
- Prodigies of sport: Littler's predecessors
- Nagelsmann's announcement: A restless Christmas for national team players
- What sports fans prefer to watch on television
- The calm before the upheaval: Nagelsmann's European Championship plans
Despite Klosterhalfen's struggles to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, she has a chance to compete in the European Championships as the defending champion. The German Athletics Association (DLV) is hopeful that she can regain her form before the major events. Similarly, Klosterhalfen expressed her desire to participate in both the 5,000 and 10,000-meter events in Paris, aiming to represent Germany at the European Championships in Athletics and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Source: www.ntv.de
