Andreas Almgren received his bronze medal around his neck directly after the race at the National Arena in Tokyo.
But it was a short loan.
After the celebration, the tears, the hugs and everything else that happened in the joy rush, he had to return the medal to the organizer.
”Bit into it”
They would probably do the engraving, says Almgren without really knowing.
I hope it's the same, because I have bitten into it a few times and I hope no one else has done it.
The day after the historic race – Almgren became the first Swedish long-distance runner to take a World Championship medal – the 30-year-old was back at the arena in Japan's capital. This time it was enough to be outside. There he stepped up onto the podium and got the bronze medal hung around his neck.
One has been walking around like in a dream all day. Today I have enjoyed that I have made a good performance.
Great interest
During the dreamlike day, Almgren has noticed how the performance in Tokyo has been received in Sweden. The phone has been beeping constantly, the number of new messages has quickly become many and the Swede has not even had the time to answer them all.
When I set a European record on 5,000, I thought it beeped a lot, but it's nothing compared to what it has been now. I haven't had a chance to check everything. It's almost like a part-time job, says the runner at the same time as he holds the medal in a firm grip with his right hand.
This weight is perfect in the hand. It feels a little surreal, but it's great to have it, he says.
On Friday, Andreas Almgren will run the trials on 5,000 meters. A possible final awaits on the last day of the championship, Sunday at 12.47.
