For 38 years, countless athletes have tried – and failed. Jürgen Schultz’s discus world record of 74.08 meters seemed to be able to stand forever. 21-year-old Mykolas Alekna from Lithuania is nevertheless a rare talent, and in April it happened. The discus sailed an incredible 74.35 meters through the air, and a new age was underway. – It was amazing. The highlight of my career so far. It’s incredible, smiles Alekna, who is a big favorite in the Olympics, to news. In retrospect, however, there have appeared those who believe that the record is a hoax. See the throw here: – There will be two different sports Swedish Alhaji Jeng, who works as an athletics expert for SVT, was quick to criticize. Alekna’s record came during a throwing event, where the athletes throw on an open field and not inside an athletics stadium. On such a plain it is easier to get good wind conditions. – There will be two different sports. You don’t have those prerequisites in a championship. It is impossible to get such conditions there, Jeng told SVT. EXPERT: Alhaji Jeng is a former pole vaulter. Photo: BILDBYRÅN He fears that competitions in these types of arenas could be harmful for the sport of discus. The criticism from Jeng still did not bite Alekna. – It was an official vote. There was a lot of wind, but if we look at the previous world record, when Schültz threw over 74 metres, there was also a lot of wind. – Wind is part of our sport. Everyone has been hunting for good wind conditions for the past 60-70 years, so this is nothing new, says the recent record holder. Gets unexpected Swedish support Vesteinn Hafsteinsson previously coached the Swedish world champion Daniel Ståhl. Speaking to Aftonbladet, the Icelander says that he believes Ståhl’s World Cup gold is a greater sporting achievement than Alekna’s record. – I have always been opposed to such competitions. It will be like shooting yourself in the foot, Hafsteinsson says that the record was set on an open plain. – For 20 years I have said that it will be wrong. Then you end up chasing the result at full speed, but then, when you get to the championship, the throw becomes much shorter, Ståhl’s old coach believes. SWEDISH STAR: Daniel Ståhl is Sweden’s disco hope in Paris. Photo: NTB Ståhl himself nevertheless takes Alekna’s side. – I think it is absolutely right. If you want to throw a world record, you have to throw into an incredibly good headwind. That’s what he did – and it was incredibly good. The world record had stood for 38 years, and it was time for him to be beaten. I am really proud of him, says the Swede to news. – Should there be more competitions for open places? – Yes, why not? There are no rules that say it forbids it. Afraid of disappointing fans, Hafsteinsson stands his ground, he wants to ban competitions outside the stadium. – No one will throw 74 meters in the Paris Olympics, says the coach, who fears that the public will only be disappointed when the athletes fail to follow up in the major championships. Alekna, on the other hand, has faith in long throws, also in the games this summer. – I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I just go there to have fun. But I think it will require a throw of over 71 meters to win gold, says the 21-year-old. The Olympic discus final takes place at 20.25 7 August. Shock finish in the 1500 meters – no Norwegian medal 01:10 The super Swede with a new world record – Duplantis with a superb Olympic gold 00:55 Here the Swedish Olympic dream is shattered: – The horse was frightened – Pictures from Max 00:57 Behind the scenes: Olympic super camera takes 40,000 photos per second 01:19 Show more Published 07/08/2024, at 05.26
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Mykolas Alekna’s discus world record creates fierce debate – Olympics Paris 2024
