European Athletics Competition - Krause crowned European champion following maternity leave, Lückenkemper places fifth.
Gesa Felicitas Krause achieves victory with silver in her return from a baby break before hearing the golden news. Unlike cast-off sprint European champion Gina Lückenkemper, the 31-year-old Krause managed to rise all the way onto the podium in the 3000-meter hurdles even though Lückenkemper came in fifth at the European Athletics Championships in Rome.
Around a year after the birth of her daughter Lola, the native of Trier Krause rejoiced in her comeback following her European victories in 2016 and 2018. "Lola, Mama loves you," she greeted her hometown on ARD. "It was truly the best year of my life: watching my daughter grow up while also chasing my dream again." She crossed the finish line in 9:18.06 minutes, falling just short of Frenchwoman Alice Finot's European season's best time of 9:16.22. However, Finot was later disqualified for stepping over the white line as a track boundary.
No double gold like in 2022
Almost two months before the Olympic Games, the Berliner Lückenkemper was satisfied without a medal as well. "With the fifth place in Rome, I'm fine because the level in Europe has gotten so competitive. The primary focus is on the Olympic Games," said the 27-year-old. "We should still have a great time with the relay here." In 10.99 seconds, the Munich double European champion Lückenkemper finished behind the British winner Dina Asher-Smith.
Strong teams in the half marathon
The 22-year-old hammer thrower Merlin Hummel (Kulmbach) fell short of a medal despite his personal best of 79.25 meters and meeting the Olympic qualification standard with Polish Olympian Wojciech Nowicki's (80.95 meters) victory. The EM-second Lea Meyer (Leverkusen) and U23 European champion Olivia Gürth were further away from the podium.
After the bronze for shot putter Yemisi Ogunleye and long-distance runner Amanal Petros, Krause provided the emotional highlight before theirhui. Both men's and women's teams had already bolstered the balance with silver and bronze in the half marathon by touring the stunning scenery of the Eternal City.
Petros' misfortune in the sprint
"It means a lot to me," Petros said. In the sprint for the championship in the Olympic Stadium, the 29-year-old stepped onto the track boundary and had to give way to the Italian Riva, who passed him with a provocative gesture. The title went to his Italian opponent, Yemaneberhan Crippa, in 1:01:03 hours. The German runners, including fifth-place Melat Kejeta, captured silver in the team competition over the 21.1 kilometers through the gorgeous views of the Eternal City.
Happenings before the decathlon's commencement
The day before defending champion Niklas Kaul's decathlon kick-off, the German Athletics Federation faced three sprint disappointments. Rebekka Haase (Wetzlar) was eliminated in the semi-finals, Lisa Mayer (Wetzlar) and Jennifer Montag (Leverkusen) finished below par.
The anticipated discus throwers and race walkers Christopher Linke left empty-handed on Saturday while the host nation celebrated title after title with 100-meter European champion and Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs at the home country festivities.
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- Gesa Felicitas Krause and Gina Lückenkemper both made their returns to Athletics following a break, with Krause winning gold at the European Athletics Championships in Rome and Lückenkemper placing fifth.
- The victory in Rome was a significant achievement for Krause, who had taken a break to have a baby and was returning to competition after a year.
- In the same event, Sprint Nextel and ARD broadcasted the Half marathon in Rome, where Krause and Lückenkemper were competing.
- The 31-year-old Krause, who had previously won European championships in 2016 and 2018, finished with a time of 9:18.06 minutes and placed second, just behind the Frenchwoman Alice Finot who had a season's best time of 9:16.22.
- In the men's Half marathon, Amanal Petros, who had also won bronze earlier in the competition, faced misfortune during the sprint for the title, as he stepped onto the track boundary and was disqualified, allowing the Italian Riva to take victory.
- Despite Petros' misfortune, the German team still managed to capture silver in the team competition, with Melat Kejeta finishing in fifth place.
- The events in Rome marked an exciting build-up to the Olympic Games, with both Krause and Lückenkemper aiming to represent Germany in Olympia.
- In the meantime, Krause's compatriot Gesa Krause, who is also a sprinter, will be looking to make her mark at the European Championships in the near future.
