Olympics, Paltrinieri fourth in the 1500sl, the American Finke wins

After the silver medal in the 800s, the blue fought but was unable to get on the podium again: “Very tired, I have no regrets”. But now there is free water for him

From our correspondent Stefano Arcobelli

August 1
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Paltrinieri of wood. The brave lion who had to fight mononucleosis abdicates in the 1500s and finishes fourth behind Finke, who brings back to the US a title that had been missing since 1984 in Los Angeles. Gregory tries with the usual big heart, but 30 bombs are too many to provoke the physique already put to the test for the silver in the 800. Gregorio tries it in the first part, he suffers in the second and nothing can in the final. After silver and fourth place, now the former two world champion and king of Rio will compete in the 10 km cross-country, the world he likes best now.

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The race

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Greg, from lane number 6, does not change tactics and starts immediately in front: at 100 he turns in 55 “92, at 200 in 1’54” 75. At 300 meters the German Florian Wellbrock, world champion in 2019, gets in line, but Greg passes in 2’45 “. At 400 meters the comparison is between the 3’53” 45 of the panzer and the 3”53 “58 of the Olympian blue. The European champion Misha Romanchuk, who as a young man also trained in Ostia, growing up behind Greg and Detti, joins the 500 meters. Four in line, with the American Robert Finke, gold in the 800, to keep the same frequencies of the three Europeans. Greg keeps his pace, covered in fourth place: the four mark on sight. The impression is that Greg spends more energy but his attitude is different from his previous 1500s. open to any solution: the passage of 800 meters sees him fourth in 8’50 “95. The truce is about to break between the four challengers: Wellbrock continues to hold his head, to control the race. At 1000 meters Greg struggles to stay “attached” to the other 3 in a race that is slow in terms of pace: 10’49 “43 is the time trial reference for the blue. At 1200 Greg is worth 11’48” 55, and here the last assault begins with the energies in reserve. Greg has 100 meters left but his opponents accelerate incessantly and for Greg these are difficult moments: he is powerless. It ends as in the 19th century, with the triumph of the American who still beats all Europeans. Finke extends in the last meters and touches in 14’39 “65, the silver is of the Ukrainian Misha Romanchuk in 14’40” 66, the bronze is of the German world champion in 14’40 “91. Greg suffers resigned.” One of the four will be disappointed, “he said on the eve. It’s him. He had foreseen everything. But he deserves a round of applause for his courage.

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The word

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“I did everything. Today was not enough. I was very tired. Today they were stronger than me, that’s okay. I tried to leave with a strong step, but then in the middle I was destroyed, really dead, I couldn’t do it. Congratulations to them “. A lion wounded but supported by the pride of someone who is big and can’t do anything about it: “Today I jumped into the water with strange sensations – he continues -, excessive tiredness. And nothing. I couldn’t do anything more. I have nothing to do with it. complain. Fourth place, 14’45 “is a time that doesn’t belong to me but it’s okay. Sport is also this. Get ready at the right time. I’m just sorry I’m not 100% fit. I understand that in an athlete’s path there are lows. I don’t regret anything, I can feel satisfied with myself. It is clear that if I had to say something, it is that I am not worth 14’45 “, I will have the opportunity to make up for it in the future. There will be other opportunities. And this gives me hope”. And now the bottom. How? “Open water? My intention is to compete. I am here now and I will certainly not pull back. I will try to recover as much as possible in these days, because between 800 and 1500 I do not think I managed mentally yes but physically today I was not in condition. I’ll try to recover some energy and I’ll try again in the 10 km “. Scheduled for August 5th.

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