After decathlete Leo Neugebauer won silver, the German Athletics Association is hoping for the next medal from Malaika Mihambo. She could achieve something that no long jumper has ever achieved before.
Next set after difficult recovery? Malaika Mihambo. IMAGO/PPAUK
Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo is sticking to her medal ambitions despite her illness in the run-up to the Olympic Games. “The corona infection has not changed my goals for the Olympics. But in the Olympic preparations I was accompanied by lung problems and reduced resilience, which made recovery difficult,” the 30-year-old told the German Press Agency“In the worst case scenario, I will have to make do with less than six attempts in Paris.”
The qualification is on Tuesday, and the medals will be decided on Thursday. In addition to Mihambo, Mikaelle Assani and Laura Raquel Müller will compete for the German team.
Mihambo leads the annual world best list with 7.22 meters. After decathlete Leo Neugebauer, who won the silver medal in the decathlon on Saturday, she is the German Athletics Association’s best hope for a medal in Paris. There she could become the first long jumper to win gold twice in a row.
“That would be very nice, of course. I think I can do it, but first of all it’s about the competition. And that’s what I’m concentrating on,” said the two-time world champion. Two weeks ago she won in London with 6.87 meters. In order not to overexert herself, she only completed four jumps.
After Corona “better week by week”
The athlete from LG Kurpfalz arrived in Paris at the weekend. After the corona infection in June, coach Ulli Knapp adjusted the scope of the preparation program. He is optimistic that Mihambo is not handicapped. “It has improved in small steps from week to week,” said Knapp.
