Among the brightest stars of this event was Lithuanian Gabija Galvydytė, who reached the final after a huge drama in the semifinal, which also required a protest from the Lithuanian delegation.
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With the judges accepting her and Swiss Audrey Werro’s protest, for the first time 10 athletes ran in the final of this event at the European Championship, and the Lithuanian had to share the ninth lane with the famous A. Werro.
The latter, who fell in the semifinal and together knocked out G. Galvydytė, took gold in the final, thus breaking the hearts of the host British – their favorite, Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson finished second.
Multiple world champion in the 400 m event – who has moved to the twice as long distance this season – Dutch Femke Broeders-Bol had to settle for bronze. In the final, she improved her country’s record.
And right behind these superstars came Lithuanian G. Galvydytė!
“I proved that I belong in the final, that I can be here. I want to tell my haters – I am fourth in Europe!” – rejoiced G. Galvydytė.
– Actually, unreal… I can’t believe it. We started in the same lane together with A. Werro and I planned to hang on, run behind, but after 100 m I saw that wow – the rivals had already run away…
It was not easy to share one lane at the start, but come on – I am fourth in Europe! What can I say!”
“The coach (Justinas Beržanskis, – ed.) encouraged me before the final, said I have a very good finish, I have to trust it and if I am close to the rivals and finish well, I can definitely be very high,” the runner continued.
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– The coach really believed in me more than I believed in myself. I believe I can run faster than 1:59, it just so happened this final. I expected everyone to run together, but then I saw that we were already far away. But, I don’t think it matters whether 1:57 and fourth, or 1:59, but also fourth.”
Before the championship, the biggest expectations for G. Galvydytė, who trains in the USA, were linked to the longer – 1500 m event, which is yet to start.
- Tuesday: 800 m heats
- Thursday: 800 m semifinals
- Friday: 800 m final
- Saturday: from 14:15 1500 m heats
- Sunday: 23:13 1500 m final (if qualified)
“We already talked about it (about tomorrow’s challenges in the 1500 m event). Now the most important thing is to calm down, lie down… I immediately tell everyone who writes – I won’t reply today. Sorry, ” laughed the runner.
– I really see your messages and reply, but it’s hard when I get so many. I want to answer everyone, talk, thank, but it takes away emotions. I will leave everything for tomorrow and I hope after the 1500 m I will be able to contact everyone.”
“There was no plan to save energy in the 800 m event. The coach wanted me to run and run fast. To take a high place. So, I think his plan worked!” – the Lithuanian smiled broadly.
Most likely, G. Galvydytė ran the 800 m distance this year a month ago in Los Angeles – 1 min. 58.28 sec., and her career best is 1 min. 57.96 sec. achieved last year in Tokyo.
The Lithuanian record since 1988 still belongs to Dalia Matusevičienė – 800 m in 1 min. and 56.7 sec.
Read more Galvydytė, who sprinted excellently at the end of the race, is fourth in Europe
You can find the Lithuanians’ schedule and expectations at the European Championship here.
