– I know what he has been through, and I think it is so wonderful what he has achieved. I’m sorry, says bonus dad Kåre Jåsund, choked with tears. On Sunday, Mezngi took an EC silver for the history books. The man who came to Norway as a refugee from Eritrea delivered an enormous final sprint. He was in the lead for a while, but in the end it was a second place for the 36-year-old. news met his Norwegian family after the race, mentioned Jåsund and Mezngi’s “brother” Aril Hegerland. With “Team Zerei” on their T-shirts, they followed Mezngi’s race from the stands in Munich. They both say that the nerves were on edge when he ran the 10,000 metres. – It was very, very nice. It was a very tactical race. He held on and held on and then took off at the end. He got the most out of the race, so we are super proud, says Hegerland. The brother tells of an enormous commitment from the stands. Especially from the father. – Kåre screamed so that half the Olympic stadium heard him, he smiles. – I was completely lost, me, says the father. PROUD: Kåre Jåsund (right) and Aril Hegerland (right) are Zerei Kbrom Mezngi’s Norwegian family Photo: Roy Kenneth S. Jacobsen / news – Have become part of the family Mezngi’s silver is only the second ever Norwegian international championship medal for men in the 10,000 meters. Are Nakkim won silver in the EC in 1990. – He has pace and distance. Then it is necessary to be tactically smart in the race, and today he managed to do that. It is not written on the engine, says Hegerland. STRONG STORY: Zerei Kbrom Mezngis has an incredible story. Photo: WOLFGANG RATTAY / Reuters Mezngi fled a military camp in Eritrea. He came to Norway as a refugee in 2012, and has represented Norway since 2020. It was five years ago that Mezngi appeared on the family’s doorstep in Tananger after seeing a housing advertisement. They say that they found him to be a warm person, and it didn’t take long before he became part of the family. – He is like a son to Kåre. Then it becomes extra touching and very gratifying when things go well, says the brother. The NM in Kristiansand was the turning point But even though he came to Norway with the hope of becoming an athlete, it has not always been easy. At one point, it was about to end for Sunday’s silver medalist. – He wanted to quit, you know. He was far down in the NM in Kristiansand, and then there was talk that he would not run. But then we got him into the hut with a cup of coffee, and then it went well in the end. We are very happy about that today, says father Jåsund. – What have you done to motivate him? – Now I am not a professional. I didn’t have much interest before he came into the picture, so he is the one who lured me into this. He argued that he wanted to drive a cab, but he has better talent than that. There was a bit of talk back and forth, and then it went the right way. Already in one year, there will be the World Championships in athletics again. But so far, the family is not thinking yet, and they say that it is up to Mezngi. – We are there and support no matter what, that’s how family is. We support you through thick and thin, and he has noticed that too. And so it means extra to him, we think, that we are around and supporting him. We are there anyway, like a real family, says the brother.
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Mezngi’s Norwegian family moved to tears by the feat – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
