– Wow! I didn’t expect to run so fast. I know I can, but for me it was just about rounding off the season, says Rai Benjamin to news. He still hadn’t realized that he ran to a new state record in the 400 meter hurdles with 46.39 seconds when he met the writing press in Eugene. His shoulders were down to his knees and so was almost his running suit when he entered the tent outside the stadium. The American, who has Olympic silver, two WC silver and WC bronze, seemed far from ecstatic after the victory – which was won with the fourth best time in the world ever and best of the year in the world. – It means nothing. I didn’t do it in the WC and I haven’t done it in the Olympics, it’s only the Diamond League final. No one will think of a Diamond League champion, but everyone will think of an Olympic champion. Benjamin: – Many are disappointed The American beat Karsten Warholm by 14 hundredths after a strong finish. He still seemed introspective. NOT CHEERING LOUDLY: Rai Benjamin was satisfied with a strong performance, but wanted to go home most of all. – Many are disappointed with me and that I went to major championships without performing at my best. When asked if the historic Olympic final in Tokyo was an underperformance, the Diamond League winner quickly counters: – Yes, I lost. It is underachieving. I was going to win that race and I’m going to win every race. That’s my mentality. The reality is that someone else broke the world record and ran faster that day. – He was better and has always been better when it matters, so I have to pull myself together and perform when it really matters, says Benjamin. He is naturally aiming at Warholm, who lowered his own world record to 45.94 seconds. Benjamin ran 46.17. Both times were unheard of a few years ago. Warholm shortens his holiday But even if the nimble American does not put too much stock in the victory, he throws fuel on the Norwegian’s motivational fire. – The only thing I can do is go back and train and… Yes, the season break will be shorter, says Warholm to news. – What do you put in it? – I have to go back to work, of course. You can see that the competitors are at a level that means you really have to run fast to join and fight for that Olympic gold next year. Which will be what everyone is fighting over. Things must be done right. It will be a battle. HISTORICALLY STRONG FIELD: World record holder Karsten Warholm, Zurich winner Kyron McMaster, Photo: ALI GRADISCHER / AFP And while Warholm shortens his holiday, Benjamin does the opposite. He has bought himself a new bicycle, which he will ride around on while he takes a month off. He also credits his Norwegian competitor with that. – He should take some time to calm down too. It’s an important year next year, so you just want your body to calm down. It takes a lot to run so fast all the time. But he and the trainer have done a phenomenal job and know what is best for them.
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