European Championship final: Robert Farken from Leipzig involved after jury decision

After a jury decision, Robert Farken from Leipzig is in the European Championship final over 1500 meters after all and can hope for a medal. The 26-year-old had fallen with several other runners at the start of the final lap in his preliminary heat on Monday and had actually missed out on the final heat in eleventh place. Following a protest, the jury dealt with the incident and, after a detailed video analysis, Farken and two other runners were placed in the final in the Olympic Stadium in Rome on Wednesday.

Farken had previously blamed himself for the fall. "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 needed for the final 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 sees the European Championships in Rome as a stopover before the Olympic Games, where he wants to make 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.