- New builder in the silver dream: "Wow, I really did that".
Silver medal winner Leo Neugebauer enjoyed his big moment of glory in the arms of his parents and friends. "An embrace from all the people you love the most is already crazy," the 24-year-old told the German Press Agency. His father Terence and mother Diana shed tears of joy as their son celebrated with them after a thrilling decathlon. There was no trace of regret that he hadn't won gold as the world's best.
"She said they were very, very proud and happy," Neugebauer revealed. At the decathlon showdown in the Stade de France, he won the first German medal in the king of sports since Frank Busemann in Atlanta in 1996. "The silver medal is an honor," said Neugebauer, who lives in the USA. "I'm going home with a smile."
"Some big lessons"
U23 European champion Markus Rooth from Norway had a 48-point lead over Neugebauer after setting personal bests in several events, but Neugebauer gave it his all. The next morning, after the Olympic ordeal, the German decathlon star looked refreshed and ready for the evening's victory ceremony. He calmly completed the next interview section with a coffee in hand.
"I'll only realize everything when I have the medal, because then I can look at it and say: Wow, I really did this. It's mine now," said Neugebauer. First, he said, one must let everything sink in, "and then I will definitely take away some big lessons."
Rising star
Neugebauer's rapid rise is impressive. Last year, he broke the 39-year-old German record set by decathlon legend Jürgen Hingsen, and this year he improved it further. After leading at halftime at the World Championships and finishing fifth, he held his own under pressure to win silver. "Leading for so long at the Olympics isn't easy," Neugebauer admitted, proud of his next level of development. "Maybe I had to go through that last year to come back this year with silver."
The first to congratulate Neugebauer in the lively Stade de France was former world and European champion Niklas Kaul, who finished eighth. "That's what big decathletes do, they deliver in the right moment. He did it and he held up under the pressure of leading on day one," Kaul praised his teammate.
Busemann and Hingsen see a bright future
Paris may not be the last chapter in the Olympic history of the decathlon duo. Both are aiming for Los Angeles in four years. For Neugebauer, who names American former world champion Trey Hardee as his idol, Brisbane in 2032 could even be a possibility. Only five decathletes have ever been better than the model athlete, whose future prospects are excellent. He is considered a candidate to break the 9000-point barrier and even to beat the world record set by the absent Frenchman Kevin Mayer (9126).
"Leo has enormous potential. But he's never had setbacks or major injuries. That's still a very young decathlon career," Hingsen told the German Press Agency. "If everything goes well for him, he can become a really big deal." Busemann, who was the last German decathlete to stand on an Olympic podium nearly three decades ago, is also impressed by Neugebauer's career.
"Actually, it's quite incredible what Neugebauer has achieved! Just two years ago, he was an inexperienced college rookie with an incredibly captivating presence, and now he's already completed four top-notch multi-fights this year and has just hung an Olympic silver medal around his neck after a tough, long college season," wrote the ARD expert. "If you see what he's capable of, we're going to have fun with him not just today."
Neugebauer, who has completed his economics studies in the US and plans to start his own business, preferably in the jewelry sector, is also excited about his future developments. "I still have a lot of potential in many areas," said the man known by the brand and nickname "LeoTheGerman," who recently appeared as Leo Quakgebauer in a Mickey Mouse comic. "Only one personal best has fallen, at the German record in June," he said, "you can see how much more is in there."
"Grandma was there too"
First, he wants to enjoy the unforgettable Paris moment. At the World Championships, family and friends were present at a competition for the first time in years, said Neugebauer. "This time it's the same, but I'm going home with an Olympic medal. That's an even crazier moment."
Having his heart-fan club around him makes the moment even more beautiful. "Friends, family, former training colleagues. Basically, everyone I've known in my life. Grandma was there too."
"During the post-event interviews, Leo mentioned, I'm not going to lie, the support he received was overwhelming. He was surrounded by his loved ones, including his grandmother, who added to the emotional excitement."
"As Leo reflected on his journey, he admitted, I'm not going to lie, there are still many lessons to be learned. The silver medal is a significant achievement, but it also serves as a reminder of the potential for growth and improvement in the future."
