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Simon Ehammer wants to enjoy the World Cup final in Budapest, but in the end he experiences a nightmare.
The 23-year-old from Appenzell found out in a bitter way how close success and failure can be. At the 2nd attempt in the World Championship competition in the long jump, Ehammer exceeded the limit by a tiny 7 millimeters. The jump went well over 8 meters; he would have been in the top 8 for sure and would have had 6 attempts instead of just 3.
The fate of last year’s World Cup third was that from this year it is no longer decisive whether an imprint can be seen on the plasticine strip, but rather the picture at the end of the jump is decisive. This innovation was introduced this year because the shoes were curved upwards in the toe area so that there was no plasticine imprint.
The innovation only brings problems. The athletes and coaches are not happy with it at all.
“They already have a clear line, but one against the athlete,” Ehammer said angrily. “If you look at the picture, my foot is off the board a millisecond later. If they made the first contact, then the jump would have been valid.” A perfect jump is no longer possible, and you always have to allow for some space.
SRF expert Ellen Sprunger also disagrees with the adjustment: “It only brings problems. The athletes and coaches are not happy with it at all, there are huge discussions.”
Ehammer would have fought for a medal
When asked about his emotional state, Ehammer first mentioned the word tragedy. “I need a few days to let the whole thing sink in.”
He estimated the second attempt at 8.20 to 8.30 m. “I would certainly have fought for a medal,” says Ehammer. Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle took bronze with 8.27 m.
“Even if it was only 8.15m,” Ehammer continued, “that would have given me the looseness I needed.” So he was under pressure in the third attempt after two zeros, in the end with 7.87 m he was eight centimeters short for three more jumps and it was only enough for 9th place.
“In the third attempt, I can’t blame myself,” said Ehammer. It’s normal to jump with the handbrake on. “And then little mistakes creep in.”
Relaxation from last year is not a matter of course
Ehammer experienced a season with many ups and downs. The heptathlon at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul at the beginning of March was already over for him after the 2nd discipline, a zero in the long jump. At the all-around meeting in Götzis, where he wanted to set the limit for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he again underwent 3 zeros in the long jump. In mid-June he was the first Swiss to win a Diamond League meeting in Oslo.
“Everything went smoothly last year, which is not to be taken for granted. In a career as a top athlete, ups and downs are normal,” said Ehammer, already looking ahead again: “There are still 2 meetings (Zurich and Eugene). Then it’s time to make amends. I want to show what I’m capable of, because the form is right.”