Andreas Almgren laughs well when he remembers Henrik Ingebrigtsen's choice of words when the Norwegian runner was to introduce the Swede to his wife Liva Børkja Ingebrigtsen.
This is Andreas, he is the best European runner ever without a medal.
The 30-year-old also remembers his response.
Thanks for that, Henrik.
At the same time, I could not disagree...
Four four times
Ingebrigtsen was right in fact. Almgren's trend in major championships is fourth places in four European Championships on four different distances.
There are some fairly significantly worse runners who have a medal, he says.
I have timed it poorly. But that's what it is, you have to win for the day. Now I feel that I have the opportunity but at the same time it's the World Championship now and not the European Championship.
The Swede has a clear plan with the World Championship. He will fight for the medals, first and foremost on 10,000 meters which will be decided on Sunday but also on 5,000 meters on the championship's last day.
With the times he has lined up and the preparations he has made, he feels that it is fully possible that the trip home from Tokyo can be with a heavier luggage.
If you look at personal best, I am a bit behind on 10,000 but I feel that I am significantly better than when I set the Swedish record a year and a half ago. That time does not quite reflect what I can do. Besides, I am faster than I have been in many years.
Now that I have eased up on training, I think I can be good in a sprint too. I should be able to handle many different types of races.
"One of the best"
Andreas Almgren has recently stuck out his neck and promised record times before different types of races.
Promises that he has seen to keep.
Now he is clear with his medal goal in the World Championship. He can motivate why and lands among other things in that he previously in Diamond League races was just a runner while he this year has been a "contender", that he has been in the top in each race.
I feel that I have been one of the best this year, training has gone well and I should be up there.
Born: June 12, 1995 in Sollentuna (30 years old).
Club: Tureberg.
Personal records in selection: 26.52,87 on 10,000 m (Swedish record), 26.53 on 10 km road (European record), 12.44,27 on 5,000 m (European record), 13.05 on 5 km road (Swedish record), 59.23 on half marathon (Swedish record), 7.31,42 on 3,000 m (Swedish record), 3.32,00 on 1,500 m.
Current: Finished fourth on 800 m at the indoor European Championship 2015, fourth on 5,000 m at the European Championship 2022, fourth on 10,000 m at the European Championship 2024, fourth on 3,000 m at the indoor European Championship 2025 – now chasing World Championship medal on 10,000 meters on Sunday.
