Hallberg Hossain injured and misses
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Hallberg Hossain injured and misses European Championship long jump final: Under all criticism

Maja Åskag and Ayla Hallberg Hossain qualified for the long jump final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. But Hallberg Hossain will miss the final because of an injury, the national team announced to the media on site. It doesn't feel great, Hallberg Hossain said after the qualifying round.

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Åskag and Hallberg Hossain both jumped 6.66 metres, which was enough for ninth and 10th place respectively. The top twelve in the long jump qualifying round advanced.

The Swedish duo thus qualified for the final, which will be decided on Sunday. However, for Hallberg Hossain, there will be no final after she injured the back of her thigh in her last jump.

"I don't think it will work, unfortunately," the 19-year-old said immediately after qualifying when asked if the final was possible.

Help was delayed

After the injury, it took a long time before Hallberg Hossain received any medical help.

It's so important to act quickly, so it's very frustrating, she says.

The organiser in Birmingham has previously received criticism during the championship for taking a long time before injured athletes receive help.

It's all criticism, how difficult can it be? We're at a European Championship, injuries will happen, so there really should be people who are close and act much faster. It's very sad, says Maja Åskag, who is, however, happy about her final place:

“No tears!”

No tears today! It's great to be in the final and get another chance to perform and leave Birmingham with good memories, she says, referring to the disappointment after missing the final in the triple jump earlier during the championship.

The third Swede in qualifying, Tilde Johansson, did not qualify for the final after jumping 6.47 metres, the farthest she managed.

The best in qualifying was Germany's Malaika Mihambo, who jumped 7.10 metres.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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