The Tokyo Olympic champion emphasized the great significance of her silver medal in Paris after her corona infection. “I am very grateful and very proud that I have even made it this far. I don’t think there are very many people or athletes who, with such a history, with such a handicap, can leave the field at the Olympic Games with a silver medal.”
American in front
The two-time world and European champion had to concede long jump gold to the American co-favorite Tara Davis-Woodhall. “I won silver, and that is a very golden feeling for me,” said the athlete from LG Kurpfalz. Davis-Woodhall, who came second at the World Championships, jumped twelve centimeters further with 7.10 meters. After the lap of honor, Mihambo had physical problems in the Stade de France because she was having trouble breathing.
Open detailed viewAfter the competition, Malaika Mihambo felt bad. (Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/dpa)
Memories of EC
Two years ago, she caught Corona after winning gold at the World Championships in Eugene. Back then, she fought her way to silver at the European Championships in Munich. There, too, Mihambo felt very bad after the competition. Because of this experience, she felt “no panic” this time, but the moment was still “very unpleasant.”
“A very crumbling house”
Coach Ulli Knapp pointed out the difficult preparation for the Olympics after the infection. In training, “the entire foundation basically disappeared,” he said. “We built a very crumbling house that was already shaking a bit after the qualification.”
Knapp was “totally proud” of his athlete’s performance. He pointed out that, given the conditions and the centimeters she lost during the take-off, she had theoretically jumped the furthest. “Actually, she is the de facto winner for me. She will remain that way.”
