MEN’S 200 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Adam Gemili (GBR) - 19.98 world leader
I didn’t realize how strong the headwind was tonight until I was told. The track is super fast. I just wanted to get to the podium.
I’m still only 20. I have more years to get fitter and stronger
Silver: Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) - 20.15
I came here only for the gold in the 200. I had the European lead, so I felt that the gold was only goal. Now I must help my teammates in the relay tomorrow. Because of some injuries in the others, I probably will have to run in the heats.
Bronze: SerhiySmelyk (UKR) - 20.30
This was a very nice surprise in such a great company of sprinters. I am very satisfied. Tonight, Ukraine won a full set of medals—gold and silver in the high jump, plus my bronze in the 200. [NOTE: Zemlyak also won silver in the women’s 400 tonight.]
WOMEN’S HAMMER THROW Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Anita Wlodarczyk (POL) - 78.76 world leader, NR and CR
I expected to be fighting for the gold with Betty Heidler, but in the end I was fighting with myself. After my opening two fouls, I was able to get a good mark in the third round which gave me three more attempts to work hard for a really good performance.
Would she have had a world record had it not been for the rain? Yes, I thought that a world record was close. Perhaps I will be ready for it next week in Warsaw. I’d like to be the first woman to throw over 80m.
Silver: Martina Hrasnova (SVK) - 74.66
I knew I was in good shape when I arrived, and it proved good enough for a medal.
Bronze: Joanna Fiorodow (POL) - 73.67
I was a little shocked by the bronze. I knew there would be many good throwers in the final. I got lucky on my final attempt and that moved me onto the podium.
HEPTATHLON Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Antoinette Nana Djimou (FRA) - 6551
My toughest event was the 800, but it is also the one that I was most satisfied with because it brought me past Nadine to the gold. Overall, my javelin was the best event of the two days. My tactic in the 800m was to let Nadine pace me and then run hard at the end.
I was disappointed with my high jump.
The conditions here were not much different than my training conditions in Paris—rain. But I shaved my head, and the rain was probably less of a problem for me!
Silver: Nadine Broersen (NED) - 6539
These two days were long, but now I’m happy with the silver. Best of all was my high jump, which was a national record (1.94). My javelin was also good tonight. The audience was good and the atmosphere helped a lot.
Bronze: NafissatouThiam (BEL) - 6508
I came here without thinking about a medal, even after my high jump (1.97—highest ever in heptathlon competition). I really only started to think of a medal just before the 800m. It was a PB in that event and I’m happy about it, even though I really hate the event!
My biggest disappointment was with the long jump.
MEN’S HIGH JUMP Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: BohdanBondarenko (UKR) - 2.35
It’s not easy jumping in the rain. This is the first time for me this season in such conditions. Tonight, after jumping I was wet from head to toe.
Andriy was ahead of me when I was jumping at 2.35. My coach advised me to change my approach on my second attempt, and that proved to be the winning jump.
Is there still a chance for a world record this season? Maybe 50-50. I will be at the Continental Cup in Marrakech in September. I was there in June and I liked the stadium, except for the wind. Perhaps in September, things will be calmer and that will be the right setting.
I plan to be in Birmingham if the visa arrangements can be made.
Silver: AndriyProtsenko (UKR) - 2.33
I want to win next time. I tried hard at 2.37 after Bohdan jumped 2.35 and I had passed two jumps at that height. The conditions were simply bad for a good performance. It was strange that I could not cope easily with the surface at 2.26 where I needed three jumps, but then I cleared 2.30 on my first. Just a strange evening.
I will jump in Eberstadt because I do not have a visa to compete at the Birmingham Diamond League
Bronze: Ivan Ukhov (RUS) - 2.30
It happened like it happened. (Afterwards, Ukhov answered questions privately with Russian media.)
MEN’S 400 METRES HURDLES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Kariem Hussein (SUI) - 48.96
(Taken from flash quotes because Hussein did not participate in medal press conference)
This was an awesome audience! I ran a fantastic time, a sub-49, a new PB and got the gold. I’m more than satisfied. My start was good, I controlled my rhythm, I stayed relaxed, I was patient, I waited and then attacked. It is incredible.
You cannot plan such a thing in advance. You cannot even think it in advance.
It’s a strange feeling. All of my emotions went into this race. I wanted it so much. Normally I am not that emotional but at the start when the audience supported me so much, I had tears in my eyes. But now I feel strangely empty. I told you that I would get both—the gold medal and a PB—and when I say something, I do it.
Silver: RasmusMägi (EST) - 49.06
The season has been a good one. I hope it signifies a breakthrough year for me. I saw Hussein working hard during this final, so I give him my biggest congratulations for his impressive win.
After my semifinal race, I had increased expectations perhaps. But finals are always different. This was especially true tonight with the rain and the wind on the backstretch. I really could not get into the proper rhythm.
Bronze: Denis Kudryavtsev (RUS) - 49.16
I hope to work together with my coach and improve my times for next season. This is my first experience in a competition with three rounds. I felt tired. But at the end of the day I’m satisfied with the bronze.
WOMEN’S 200 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: DafneSchippers (NED) - 22.03 world leader and NR
I’m a little tired after five races. But in the heptathlon first day, I’m also tired after four events. So, I guess it should be expected. Next year I still plan to be back in the heptathlon.
In general, I’ve run sprints indoors and heptathlon outdoors. I think that overall I’m better in the 200 than in the 100.
Silver: Jodie Williams (GBR) - 22.46
I’m very happy, but I’m also quite tired after the Commonwealth Games. I just tried to hold on here. I came here hoping for a medal, and I’m happy to have achieved this goal.
I’ve had some difficult years recently. Injuries, coaching changes, etc. I knew that I was in shape this year, but I had no idea of how far it would take me. I’m more confident in the 200 now. I seem to have fewer problems with it than the 100.
Bronze: MyriamSoumaré (FRA) - 22.58
Like Dafne I’m very tired. But I trained to be able to run all of these races so I really have no excuse. I’m quite pleased to take home two medals.
MEN’S 800 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Adam Kszczot (POL) - 1:44.15
I was pretty certain of my fitness and readiness before the race. Now I know I was right. In the first 200m in my opinion I had to catch only two people—Marcin Lewandowski and Pierre-AmbroiseBosse. I did it and it mostly paved the way.
I had watched Bosse in the last two European team championships, and I’m convinced that he cannot win slow races.
Finally I have a senior gold medal at the European ourdoor level. I knew I could win, but it’s not enough just to know. You have to do it.
Silver: ArturKuciapski (POL) - 1:44.89
I’ve been training in the 800m for four years. I took on a new coach last September and the change seems to have been a good one. I wasn’t even sure that I could get to the final, and probably no one expected I could run so fast, so this entire week has been a big surprise.
I was in seventh when I began to accelerate at the end, but as I did so and was passing people, I felt that I could well move into the medals.
Bronze: Mark English (IRL) - 1:45.03
I worked hard to put myself on this big stage. Tonight was very rewarding. My two goals this year were to make the final here and also break the Irish national record. Hopefully I can break the record in one of my last two races this season.
Entering the final straight, I had the feeling that I had a medal.
WOMEN’S 1500 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Sifan Hassan (NED) - 4:04.18
I worked hard for this gold medal. And tomorrow I have to run the 5000. But I feel good about tomorrow.
I do better in Diamond League (paced) races than I do in non-paced races.
I prefer the 1500 distance over the 5000.
I’m happy to be a part of the Netherlands’ gold-medal performances (as she watched DafneSchippers win the 200m).
Silver: AbebaAregawi (SWE) - 4:05.08
I had some foot problems tonight. But I was strong and in good form. It was a hard race. I was trying to stay in the front, but Sifan caught me at the end.
Bronze: Laura Weightman (GBR) - 4:06.32
I knew it would be a difficult race tonight. I had to get used to a slower, more tactical race. Still, I didn’t want to wait until the bell to make my move.
MEN’S 400 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: Martyn Rooney (GBR) - 44.71 European leader
It’s about time (to get on the top step). It’s been a long time in coming. I’m older and wiser since Beijing. Training with Olympic champions like Christian Taylor helps a lot.
Today I knew I had to be strong on the home stretch, so I kicked hard at the end.
At the Commonwealth Games, I probably could have run better. But the CG were never my aim this year. The Europeans were always at the top of the list. This win tonight vindicated my decision not to run the relay in Glasgow. I’m looking forward to next year against the American and the ‘island boys’.
Silver: Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) - 44.75
(Switched from 200 to 400 this year). I had a lot of injuries last year. I had planned to run 400 at the European Juniors but had to scrap that. In Glasgow this year, I had no pressure because no one knew me. Tonight’s just a big start for me in this new event.
With 44.75 in the first year, does the sub-44 second region look possible? I’ll just take it one step at a time. [NOTE: The 27-year-old European record is 44.33.]
Bronze: Donald Sanford (ISR) - 45.27 NR
After the semifinals I had the third-best time, so I knew there was some potential for a medal. Still it was a surprise for me. In the last 100m, I saw a lot of people in front of me. I just maintained my technique and it pulled me home in third.
I hoped this brought some light to the people in my new country who don’t have a lot of good days at the moment. And I hope this medal will bring me some more invitations to run in big races.
WOMEN’S 400 METRES Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: LibaniaGrenot (ITA) - 51.10
I was happy to win tonight and take this gold medal back to Rome. I know that I came here as a favourite, but coping with that pressure was not difficult. I felt confident about myself, and I was calm and relaxed. I improved here every round.
Silver: OlhaZemlyak (UKR) - 51.36
This race was really close at the end, too close (second through fourth decided by 0.02). When I saw that I was second, I was ecstatic. Yes, we have a relay coming up starting tomorrow, but I will run only in the final. We have a strong team. We will see what happens.
Bronze: Indira Terrero (ESP) - 51.38
I was not sure about the results until I saw them on the stadium scoreboard. I couldn’t believe that I had a medal.
(About finishing ahead of world and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu) It was very important to be faster than such a top runner. She has always been my big idol.
MEN’S STEEPLECHASE Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: YoannKowal (FRA) - 8:26.66
It was quite a peculiar race. But I felt that I had wings. The last 400m I was really able to go fast. I would prefer to have won this race with happiness because I don’t want people to remember my gold medal because of what happened.
For me, Mekhissi-Benabbad is the European champion. He is the only one in the field who can compete with the other steeplechasers of the world. A yellow card was a sufficient penalty for what he did, not disqualification. I hope that Mahiedine will win a medal in the 1500 so that we can share a drink together.
(Regarding his stepping down momentarily to share step with silver medallistZalewski) I know that I was showing some difficult emotions in the medal ceremony and I will try to forget this unfortunate gesture in the future. I was expressing my emotions of the moment and I am sorry.
I had four years with the 1500 and the steeplechase is quite a new event for me. But I would like to continue in the future with this event.
Silver: KrystianZalewski (POL) - 8:27.11
I’m happy for a medal. I was thinking about winning but Mekhissi-Benabbad and Kowal were simply stronger. It unfortunately was not a good evening for my teammate Mateusz [Demczyszak].
Bronze: Angel Mullera (ESP) - 8:29.16
I tried to be in front at the beginning. But about halfway I was being passed by many. I became nervous, but I got my strength back in the last lap which put me into a medal position. I’m extremely content with this championship. It was the best race of my life.
(Regarding the booing fans at the medal ceremony) It is understandable that there were some unhappy French fans. It is not my fault what happened. I did nothing to deserve this reaction. It was a decision of the Spanish Federation to protest. I was not consulted. In my opinion, the judge should have taken a firm position earlier. When he did not, my federation obviously felt they had to take a position.
MEN’S 50K RACE WALK Medal Press Conference transcript (Friday, 15 August)
Gold: YohannDiniz (FRA) - 3:32.33 world record
The race was very crazy. At the start I did not have great rhythm. When I started the race, I had no idea of walking a world record. I just planned to follow the Russians, and their tactics are usually to start fast. I began to realize that I could attack the world record at kilometer 40. I wanted to make a good race today because I had been in a ‘black hole’ during the preceding four years of my career.
I started today with some fears because of many injuries. I’m now 36 years old, but you cannot stop training in this event just because of injuries. My trainers have adopted a significant amount of swimming for my regimen to maintain fitness. In the last four days, I have swum about 40 kilometres.
This was my third European 50K walking title, but it likely will be my last one. I hope to continue to 2016, but that year will be reserved for the Rio Olympics, after which I plan to stop my career.
(Told that he was timed in 3:00:15 when passing the marathon distance, he was asked if he might consider running one in the future.) With all of the swimming that I do, I am more likely to try a triathlon.
(On taking both a French and a Portuguese flag after his win.) My grandfather was from Portugal and emigrated to France. My roots are in Portugal, and I train there often.
(Born in Epernay in France’s Champagne region, Diniz is a licensed oenoligist. When asked what he would drink tonight to celebrate his win and his world record, he replied ‘Probably some Crozes-Hermitage . . . and also some champagne!’)
Silver: MatejToth (SVK) - 3:36.21
It was one of the most exciting races in my career. Many friends are here from Slovakia to support me. It was tough and fast from the beginning, very fast. When it slowed a bit in the middle, I was able to walk with my own rhythm. I was patient. At about 25 or 27 km, I started to become euphoric and enjoy the race. Of course, at that point the race was only half over.
At 40km, I started to push harder. My coach told me then that it was possible for me to be second. The last 10km was very euphoric. I started to feel a little worse on the last lap but fortunately it was the last lap. I enjoyed the last 300m. I was smiling and thinking about my family.
This was an important medal for Slovakia but especially for me personally, and also for my brother-in-law who is the chairman of the Slovak Athletics Federation. I was able to assist him in his work.
Bronze: Ivan Noskov (RUS) - 3:37.41
I still feel a big pain and I’m quite tired after today. It was not very easy, but in the end I was glad to get a medal. I’m proud to be a part of the Russian walking group here. It is true that we won medals in all race-walking events, but I wish more of them had been gold.