National coach Boris Obergföll let his anger run free over the Olympic javelin disaster of Johannes Vetter. You feel “shitty and cheated”, Obergföll railed after the ninth place of his protégé and spoke of a “complete inequality of opportunity”. The fallen gold favorite Vetter found the premature end in the final on Saturday evening in Tokyo simply “sucks”.
The trigger for the anger in the athlete and coach was the surface for the run-up, which slowed the German litter star. “It is bitter to lay such a kindergarten surface at the Olympic Games,” complained Obergföll. “So the world’s best javelin thrower has been deprived of the chance to win Olympic gold.”
With a body weight of more than 100 kilograms, the 28-year-old cousin is a strong athlete who needs a secure hold of the stem leg in order to generate energy to drive the spear. The soft surface in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was “simply fatal” for him, said Vetter in frustration.
After 19 wins in a row and seven throws over 90 meters – including the annual best of 96.29 meters – the Offenburg was considered a sure gold medal supplier. Instead, it was an annoying slide into Olympic nothing for the 2017 world champion. “I compare it to aquaplaning on a wet road,” he said, explaining his problems during the start-up. “Try to brake in front of the wall, you just hit it.”
The end of all medal dreams
Usually he has to slow down the inrun in order to let the spear fly far. In Tokyo, that didn’t work in any of his three attempts. “If I slip 30 centimeters, there is no tension and the technical system collapses completely,” said Vetter. At the end there were only 82.52 meters – the end of all medal dreams.
The competitors proved that you can continue to throw on the surface that has cooled down with ice bags. The Indian Neeraj Chopra took gold with 87.58 meters, the two Czechs Jakub Vadlejch (86.67) and Vitezslav Vesely (85.44) took silver and bronze. Julian Weber from Mainz was fourth with 85.30 meters. “Before I would never have thought to fight for the medals here,” said the 26-year-old. “Fourth place is completely crazy.”
While Vetter saw no reason to reproach himself, Rio Olympic champion Thomas Röhler was shocked by the failure of his colleague. “I am extremely shocked and sad about the team and the medal everyone was hoping for,” said the 29-year-old from Jena – and also referred to Christin Hussong. She started as second in the world rankings and was also thrown out early in the final after three pathetic throws.
“The track didn’t suit his throwing style. Jojo can throw monsters, he has proven that many times, but unfortunately Olympia has its own rules, ”said Röhler about Vetter. He himself had missed the Tokyo ticket because of a back injury.
Klaus Wolfermann, who won gold with a spear in Munich in 1972, expressed even more critical criticism of Vetter. “He wasn’t sure, he was downright scared,” said the 75-year-old. He also did not accept quarreling with the topping as an excuse: “The others also threw and performed.”
After returning home, Vetter wants to contest six more competitions. “For the feeling, I would like to throw another shot at it,” said the native of Dresden and already a few minutes after the debacle, looking forward to Paris 2024, “Thank God I only have to wait three years for the next Olympic Games.” (dpa)
