A row of lamps sits along the railing at the indoor arena Omnisport in Apeldoorn. Sometimes the lamps blink to the music to get the atmosphere going in the arena. But above all, it is used in connection with the races, in the form of a light hare that shows what is required to run at a certain time.
Samuel Pihlström dissents from the lamps.
It's not the time that counts at the championships, it's the placement. I don't really understand why there should be a light hare, he says after finishing third in his heat on 1,500 meters at a time of 3.40.52 and making it to the European Championship final.
Criticizes the development
Expressen reported earlier on Thursday that it is the first time the light hare, or wavelights in English, is used during an athletics championship. Previously, it has been seen at galas.
How has the dialogue with the active athletes been about these lamps?
I only heard yesterday (Wednesday) that it would be that. As I understand it, it's for the audience's sake, so the audience can understand how fast we're running, like. But I don't think light hares belong at championships, says Samuel Pihlström and continues:
It's not times that play any role at championships. It's medals and placements that everyone runs for. I think the athletics world has been very focused on times, heights, and everything that's measurable. You forget the wins, the duels, and that it's the placements that count. It becomes the wrong focus.
On Friday evening, 23-year-old Pihlström, who had the sixth-best time among the nine finalists, will run the final against, among others, 24-year-old Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who was the fastest of all in the heats.
I just think it's inspiring, says Pihlström.
A Montler jump was enough
Thobias Montler jumped over the qualifying limit of eight meters already in his first qualifying jump in the men's long jump. He finished fourth in the qualifying round and is a medal candidate in the final, which will also be decided on Friday evening.
I'm super happy to get it in the first jump. Then you can more easily take it easy before tomorrow, which is a small advantage, says 29-year-old Montler.
