Italian
Incredible performance by Marcell Jacobs in the 100m in Eisenstadt. Following a 9.84 (+2.3) in the heats, he achieved an amazing 9.67 (+4.1), the third fastest time in the world
EISENSTADT (AUSTRIA) – That Marcell Jacobs was returning to high levels was already evident in the first two seasonal outings, but seeing him literally fly goes beyond the best expectations. First, a stunning heat performance with 9.84 (+2.3) that lowered his season best and brought him closer to his European record set at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 of 9.80.
Finally, in the final of the Silver stage of the Continental Tour taking place in Eisenstadt, Austria, history is made. Favored by the thunderstorm that delays the meeting by about half an hour and brings the temperature down to around twenty degrees, the Italian champion incredibly speeds through in 9.67 (+4.1).
Just to give some numbers, no one has ever gone this fast with the wind, and it is the third fastest time in history, behind only the lightning Usain Bolt with his 9.58 and the regular 9.63. The record of 9.68 by Tyson Gay has also been beaten, with the anemometer still at +4.1.
Certainly fundamental is the return at the beginning of the year with mentor Paolo Camossi, but seeing him in such dazzling form easily beat the British Romell Glave, second in 9.76, and the South African Wayde van Niekerk, world record holder in the 400 meters, third with 9.83, is another thing.
The Olympic double champion starts in the fourth lane and, aided by gusts of wind, literally flies. Just over a month ago, in the direct double confrontation in Savona, Glave had surpassed Jacobs, who was making his seasonal debut, by a little over a tenth twice: 10.00 to 10.11 in the heats (+2.6) and 9.88 against 10.01 in the final (+2.7).
Last Sunday in the Diamond League event in Paris, the Italian athlete achieved third place with a time of 9.96, becoming the continental leader of the year and lowering the 9.99 from the Golden Gala in Rome. Now the next goal is the European Championships in Birmingham, where on August 11 he will aim to win his third consecutive title.
In the heat of the moment, the blue sprinter commented:
“Very happy because I am improving with every race. Of course, there was a lot of wind here, but only Bolt in history has gone under this time and I am really pleased to have achieved such a time.”
Photo Credits: Grana/Fidal
