Jakob Ingebrigtsen entered the final stretch of Hayward Field in Eugene (Oregon) seeing himself with the 1,500m gold medal resting on his chest when the British Jake Wightman broke all the forecasts and snatched it from him. The Norwegian did not take it well and assured that he had won a second-rate athlete and a lesser rival. The duel was a good incentive for the World Cup in Budapest (August 19-27)… but Wightman will not be there.
“I was jumping hurdles and I tripped on one, I put my foot out to stop myself, all my weight fell on it and I ended up rolling,” The long-distance runner who was later runner-up in Europe in the 800m in Munich after Mariano ‘La Moto’ García explained to the Daily Mail and dates his injury back in February in South Africa. “I have had to deal with many inconveniences to prepare to race this summer. I have always felt that time was on my side to fully overcome my problems, but unfortunately I have had to accept that I will not be able to compete in the World Cup, which has been very difficult to assume”, he explains on ‘Instagram’.
And he concludes: “Although I am very disappointed not to be able to defend my title, My goal should be to get my body rested and available by 2024 to make sure I’m back performing at my best. I could have taken some risks to be at the start line in Budapest, but the risk of jeopardizing my Olympic year has made this decision an obvious one.” This loss may also be relevant for two Spaniards who will seek a medal in Hungary: (Mohamed Katir (if he decides to run 1,500) and Mario García Romo.