– It went beyond all expectations, so it has taken some time to land, says Ingvaldsen to news during a light training session in Zurich. Sixth place in the WC has opened new doors for the 20-year-old. Now he faces a strong, European field of 400 meters in Switzerland. Next week he has gained access to the Diamond League in Brussels. – Things have changed a bit since last year. At this time last year I was involved in a couple of small votes in Norway, so things have turned around quite quickly, smiles Ingvaldsen. He replies that it looks “okay” to questions from mum trainer Mari Ann Bentdal. He apparently has some energy left, but admits that three WC races in a few days cost energy. Now it is only a couple of big votes before the energy is directed towards next year: European Championship in Rome, 7-12. June Olympics in Paris, 1–11 August After running 44.39 in the WC attempt, Ingvaldsen is qualified for both places. Naturally. And now the effort will be even harder with more trips to Oslo and abroad throughout the winter. – At home there is a lot of snow and we have some cold halls which are not optimal to train in when training sprints. So I will have to go a little more into Oslo to train at Bislett, Bærum Sports Park and then I can live at Olympiatoppen. The changes were also mentioned in “Friidrettspodden”. COLD: Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen gets the job done in Moelv, but is not necessarily happy about sessions in the Norwegian winter climate. Photo: news Because even if the local communities react when Moelv is referred to as “a cold hole”, it is far from optimal for a sprinter in the world’s elite. His biggest competitors are from South Africa, Grenada, the USA and Jamaica. There it is not smeared with blue Swix. – It’s to get away from the snow and run on dry ground and get some sun on your body. Then you get in a bit more shape abroad, says Ingvaldsen, who is happy to throw away parts of the underwear: – There won’t be that many more stills now. Still with shorts on the outside, I’m bored. I start scratching my body just thinking about it, grins the Moelv boy. IN PLACE: Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen is in place in Zurich before he runs the 400 metres. The race can be seen on news 1 around 20.08 on Thursday. Photo: news The performances have exceeded all expectations. Before the season, his best 400 meters was 45.98 seconds – and he has now improved to 44.39. The only European who has run faster this year is Matthew Hudson-Smith, the WC silver winner: – It gives me a lot of confidence. There is an EC next year and now I am second best, so there is an ambition for a medal next year. Håvard Bentdal Ingvaldsen runs 400 meters as part of the rehearsals in Zurich, where Karsten Warholm opens the Diamond League race. You can watch the broadcast on news 1 from 8.00 p.m.
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– It has turned around quite quickly – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
