The largest stadium dedicated solely to athletics in the entire United Kingdom, “Alexander,” usually accommodates 18,000 spectators, but the constructed additional stands expanded this number to 40,000.
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Such an expansion was definitely not needed on the first day of the championship.
The half-full crowd cheered the loudest during the women’s 100 meters sprint final, but the women’s triple jump event, again heavily Lithuanian, also attracted attention – with experienced Dovilė Kilty and Diana Zagainova.
Unfortunately, their European Championship journey ended on the first day, far from both the final and their best personal results.
- D. Kilty jumped 13.56 m with her best attempt and took 20th place.
- D. Zagainova’s longest jump was 12.67 m, placing 27th among 29 participants.
- The top 12 qualified for the final. To continue competing for medals, triple jumpers needed at least a 14.03 m result.
“I don’t feel the emotions yet, but it’s not a good championship… I didn’t make it to the final. So, probably, not good,” said D. Kilty.
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– I still can’t say exactly what was missing. I felt much better during the warm-up. At this moment, I can’t answer what exactly was lacking… During training, I jumped from a much shorter run-up, and the jumps were much longer. I don’t even know what to say, I am disappointed with my performance.”
For the athlete from Šiauliai, this championship felt like home – D. Kilty has long lived and trained in the United Kingdom. Her husband Richard Kilty actively supported her from the stands.
“I live near Newcastle, about 3 hours away. I came by train, but yes – it’s kind of a home (championship),” continued D. Kilty. “My husband and I met through athletics. I can’t imagine my path without him. It’s really nice that he can support me, even though he currently works with the British relay team. I am grateful that he helped me too.”
- 33-year-old D. Kilty is already at her sixth European Championship. She made it to the final once – in 2022 in Munich, and in 2014 in Zurich she was eighth.
- Ten-time Lithuanian champion’s career best is 14.29 m (2019), and this year D. Kilty’s longest jump was 13.85 m in mid-May in Riyadh.
“Not very satisfied. I think it’s normal,” D. Zagainova did not hide her disappointment. “Looking at the best season result and potential – these are definitely not the numbers… As I say, I could probably jump farther with one leg during training (laughs).
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Unfortunately, the first two jumps were far from the board. This is a problem I face in the second half of the season. It’s no secret to those who follow athletics a bit… The same happened here (in this championship).
The last attempt was really good, but unfortunately, I overstepped… I started the season well, but in the second half, I lost some of my run-up. I just didn’t have enough time to sort it out because Europe was just around the corner.
You can choose not to participate, run away, hide, but we always choose – whatever the situation – to come, do our job, and fight till the end. It’s very unfortunate that I couldn’t fix (the run-up). Honestly, it’s hard to fix such mistakes at the European Championship.”
- 29-year-old D. Zagainova holds the Lithuanian record in this event – 14.43 m, set in 2019. Her best result this season is 13.90 m, achieved in June in Birštonas.
- She competed in the European Championship for the second time. In the previous championship, in 2024 in Rome, D. Zagainova placed 18th.
Interestingly, four athletes improved their personal records in the qualification, and one national and season record also fell.
“You can’t predict what the results will be. There are championships where you need to jump much less, and sometimes everyone meets the standards… It’s like reading coffee grounds, how it will be. At this moment, the better athletes made it to the final, and I am among the outsiders this time,” said D. Kilty.
– I still have a couple of starts this year, but they are not that important anymore. I will just collect points for next year and try to enjoy it.”
“I have a few invitations to commercial competitions, but I said I would give answers after this championship. Depending on how I feel. I think I am already at that stage and level of my career that I don’t just want to participate. Possibly, it is somewhat harmful to health. I want to talk to my coach, see how much strength I have left because the season was long, I participated in many events, so we’ll see – if I manage to fix what I need to fix – I will participate, if not – I will go rest,” said D. Zagainova.
The women’s triple jump final will take place on Thursday at 21:40. Unfortunately, without Lithuanians.
You can find the Lithuanians’ schedule and expectations at the European Championship here.
