European Championships
Open water swimmer Beck celebrates EM gold
Open water swimmer Leonie Beck has won EM gold over the 10 kilometers. photo
© Luigi Mariani/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
With a furious final sprint, Leonie Beck wins EM gold in open water. The 25-year-old knows the sea off Lido di Ostia well. In Germany she would like more enthusiasm for her sport.
A little shaky on her feet, Leonie Beck trudged onto the beach at Lido di Ostia. She smiled and pointed her index finger up. In her adopted home near Rome, of all places, the 25-year-old celebrated the gold at the European Championships.
“It used to go well,” Beck stated objectively and laughed. “European champion is something very special.”
Beck won on Sunday in the sea off Lido di Ostia with a strong final sprint ahead of Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci. Bronze went to Angélica André from Portugal. For the race, which was characterized by wind and waves, the German needed 2:01:13.4 hours over the Olympic distance. She had never won gold in a major international individual race before.
Difficult EM race
The way there was particularly exhausting on the final day of the European Championships. “It was one of the top three bumpiest races I’ve ever swum,” said Beck, who didn’t go well at first. “I lost the group again and had to catch up – so it was the same game every time,” she said. Despite the difficult external circumstances, Beck stated: “I actually enjoyed it.”
Around 200 meters before the end of the race, the native of Augsburg took the lead and didn’t let herself be taken away from the lead. With a lead of 1.8 seconds on Taddeucci, Beck hit the stop beam, which was swinging on the water.
Beck has found her sporting home in open water swimming. After the successes in the pool did not materialize as desired, she decided to concentrate only on the races in the lake or sea. Beck recently moved the center of her life to Italy. There she trains with the Italian team. Beck knows the competition location from everyday life.
Also because of this and because of the enthusiastic atmosphere on the beach, the victory for the Vice World Champion was very special. “It’s really cool when you approach people,” said Beck. “Italy is very enthusiastic about sports. I’m pleased to see that there is some interest in the sport. I would like that for Germany too.”
Departure for the World Cup in Canada
Around five hours after gold, she finished fifth in the relay on an eventful day. Even if the EM is over now, Beck doesn’t have a break. “I’m flying to Canada tomorrow and I still have a World Cup there,” she said. “After that I’ll finally have a summer break.”
In Beck’s big race, Lea Boy, who had won silver over 25 kilometers at the World Championships, finished 13th. Jeannette Spiwoks had to give up the race. Among the men, Oliver Klemet took fifth place as the best German. The Italian Domenico Acerenza won ahead of the French Marc-Antoine Olivier and his compatriot Logan Fontaine.
Schedule of the EM (English) News about the EM (English) News from the German Swimming Federation