UPDATE. The judges appealed the decision to accept the Kenyan team’s appeal, which dropped Nadia Battocletti to fourth place, returning the silver medal to Kenya’s Kypyegon. Fidal’s protest was rejected. Therefore, the Italian’s podium glory seemed to last only two hours. However, a mockery does not diminish the technical depth of the great feat accomplished by the Trentino athlete.
PARIS. Historic Olympic bronze medal for Nadia Battocetti. This is the first Olympic final for Nadia Battocetti, the 5,000 meters. The Italian from Trentino showed herself with the credentials of a European champion, while in Cavareno, the giant screen in the square gathered her compatriots ready for the dream. But this time he has the strongest man in the world by his side.
In the end, he led a great race: fourth place and a new Italian record of 14’31”64. But then, at the end of the race, something unexpected happened: the race jury noticed an exchange of blows on the penultimate lap between Kipyegon and Tsegay, perhaps a result not only of the excitement of the race but also of the eternal rivalry between Ethiopia and Kenya, and confirmed that The Ethiopian (who grimaced in pain) was definitely damaged and disqualified. Kipyegon faith who finished in second place, behind his Kenyan compatriot Beatrice Chebet and before the Dutch Sifan Hassanchange from copper to silver
So Battocletti, who was crying with joy at the time for being classified and even only taking fourth place, went to the podium but slowed down: “Let’s wait for the result of the appeal, in the meantime I will continue this race. I am very happy with my race, my legs are working well and if I am healthy, I aim to earn even 10 thousand. I thank all those who supported me.”
Now word has reached the World Athletics jury, and the two-time European champion is still waiting anxiously.
The five-lap 5,000m final spoke volumes about the size achieved by the 24-year-old Nonesa, who after an exciting double and gold at the European Championships was able to put in some excellent signs in Friday’s heat, as she tried to go toe-to-toe with the phenomenon that is Kipyegon and Hassan.