Leipzig's Robert Farken misses out on European Championship medal after crashing in the preliminary heat

For Robert Farken from Leipzig, the dream of a European Championship medal was shattered by a fall in the preliminary heat. The 26-year-old, who was running in a good position, fell at the start of the last lap on Monday and only finished eleventh. The best six athletes from the preliminary heat went through to the final over 1500 meters in the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

"I have the feeling that I brought it on myself," said Farken on ZDF. "I was more motivated than I have been for a long time. My teammates, from my training group, have won three medals so far. That was inspiring. I wanted to take the first step to follow suit. Now it's frustrating."

Farken was in the top 6 at the start of the final lap, wanted to accelerate and hit the legs of the Dutchman running in front of him. A total of four runners fell, and top favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen was also briefly hampered. In the end, the Norwegian still won the preliminary heat.

Thoughts of Paris

Farken received some consolation and a tip from superstar Ingebrigtsen afterwards. "He told me, 'You should have stayed calmer, you looked good'. I was a bit too hungry at that moment," said the SC DHfK Leipzig athlete. "I probably could have just waited, the way I felt."

Farken must now mentally come to terms with the mishap with a view to the Olympic Games in Paris, for which he has already qualified. "That was the first thing I thought about at the finish line," he said. "I don't want that to happen to me at the Olympic Games. I'd like to get through two rounds and make it to the final."

Paris will be Farken's second Olympic appearance. The blonde already competed in Tokyo three years ago. There he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 1500 meters. Farken missed almost all of last season due to an Achilles tendon injury.