A steeplechase runner who bathed in a moat a month ago, a showman with depth, a frustrated professor: German athletes are having great days in Munich – but there are also bitter moments.
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John Knuth
A few days ago, obstacle runner Lea Meyer sat on a roof terrace with the Munich Olympic Park at her feet and talked about what it’s like when fame flies to you. A month earlier, in Eugene, in the run-up to the World Championships, she had headed for the obstacle in front of the water jump without concentrating and fell headfirst into the water. Various media presented the incident on their front pages, huge. “Unfortunately, you learn the hard way,” Meyer said, laughing. Her most important lesson: “Even if you were under water there for five seconds, you still run a 9:30” – only five seconds slower than her best time at the time. Freely translated: There’s still something going on. European Championship silver in 9:15.35 minutes in Munich, for example, and a nicer way to increase your fame.