They are fourth in the 20 km walk, they stop one second from the podium: “I gave it my all, it’s half a victory”

PARIS – Almost a feat for Max Stanofourth, one second off the podium. At the beginning of May he was still on crutches, in mid-May they took off his leg brace after he sprained his left foot and fractured his fifth metatarsal. He managed to be there, to stay in the leading group until the end, but 3 km from the finish line the same ankle he had injured at the World Team Championships in Antalya gave way, with a double twist, slowing down his pace and leaving the way open for his travel companions. Gold to Ecuador, with Brian Daniel Painted first in 1’18”55, second the Brazilian Caio Bonfim (1’19”09), third the Spaniard Alvaro Martin (1’19”11), with just one second advantage over the Apulian, who gives up his title of Olympic champion won in Tokyo 2020.

Stano: “A half victory”

“I focused only on myself, not on others, I had talked about it with my psychologist,” says Stano. “I gave my best but evidently that maximum was not enough. There is regret because I arrived a few seconds away (from the podium, ndr). I tried until the end, I even used the energy reserves I had but today it was this. It is clear that a medal is always nice but I am happy, with only 55 days of preparation being here among the first is not at all a given. What I have done makes me proud, it is half a victory. Thanks go to the medical staff. At this point I will have to get the medal in Los Angeles”. “Several times” admits the walker, “I have twisted my ankle, there is something to review. It is not just a little bottle (on which he slipped and injured himself in Antalya). “There is probably a failure, maybe even missing muscles. There is something to resolve”. “Now I’m going to enjoy the children” is the conclusion, waiting to know if he will also be lined up in the mixed relay.