The disappointment of a medal lost at the last moment turns into a decidedly heated outburst for Lea Meyer, protagonist of a 3000 meters steeplechase final at the European Athletics Championships marked by a dramatic fall. The German middle-distance runner, in the race for victory, ended up in the trackside after clearing an obstacle, definitively compromising her race.
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After crossing the finish line, Meyer threw her bib to the ground and left the track visibly furious. Interviewed by the German television ZDF, she did not hide her frustration, also using very harsh words: “How should I feel? Like shit.”
The middle-distance runner then firmly claimed her worth, arguing that the final result did not reflect her merits: “I still maintain that I am the best steeplechaser in Europe, definitely one hundred percent. In my opinion, I would have deserved the medal.”
However, the outburst continued with some barbs directed at her compatriot Gesa Krause, who won the gold medal. Meyer criticized her rival’s tactics, accusing her of staying in the back to then take advantage of the mistakes of others: “Gesa doesn’t want to do even one meter of work. She stays back there and then sprints at the end.”
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Words that made the German’s outburst appear as a moment of strong unsportsmanlike conduct, far from the spirit that should characterize an international competition. Meyer, however, later toned down her statements and apologized for having crossed the line.
Despite the anger, the athlete acknowledged the value of her opponents, admitting that Krause and Olivia Gürth “obviously didn’t steal anything.” A bitter conclusion for a race that, before the fall, seemed able to bring her success.
