Niklas Kaul could hardly believe that he had snatched European Championship gold in the final 1500 meter run.
Photo: imago/Jan Huebner
Congratulations on the EM gold and this crazy race to catch up! How did you experience this second day of the decathlon in particular?
When I went to lunch after the pole vault, I thought the chance for gold was gone. After the afternoon nap, however, I had in mind that I wanted to at least offer the spectators a good show in the last two disciplines. They really deserved it with the atmosphere they created for us for two days. And I would say I managed to turn the corner quite well from the back.
In fact: The last javelin throw from more than 76 meters triggered a huge cheer.
I’m sure you noticed that a load was lifted from my heart. It didn’t matter if I had a chance at gold again. I finally knew that I could still do it with the spear. I haven’t thrown that far in a competition for almost three years.
And then came that 1500 meter race where you had to catch up on the leading Swiss Simon Ehammer by a good 28 seconds to still win. There were even 38. Did you imagine it exactly like this beforehand?
I already had a concept, but it didn’t work. I wanted to run the first kilometer in 2:52 minutes. But that was 2:47 minutes. I already knew then that it would be a very tough last lap. But the audience got me through it. It was such a great atmosphere that my ears almost blew out.
You had previously announced that you would be starting at the World Championships in the USA, but that the European Championships in Munich would then be your highlight – precisely because these European Championships take place at home. Have your expectations been met?
No, that was much, much better. After that I had to lie down for a few minutes. I couldn’t stand on my feet after this run.
Are the 2019 world title and this EM gold comparable?
They are not, because the initial situations were very different. In Doha I was the big surprise. This time I started after a long, difficult time. The European Championship title confirms that my path was the right one after all. So for me it’s the more emotional one. The lap of honor that followed was also very special. Although there were other competitions going on, we were all cheered for minutes. I have never experienced anything like this before.
What was your low point in between?
Clearly last year at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. When I got injured in my foot in the high jump and then had to give up over 400 meters, I was really disappointed. But shortly after that, the prospect of this European Championship at home in Munich got me out of the hole again. I said to myself, that’s a great new goal.
Do you think athletics will be part of these European Championships in the long run? The European federation wants to take your sport out of the program again to give the EM more autonomy.
I thought it was so great when I came here to the Olympic Park and saw how many people were out and about here, also because of other sports. Many people are passionate about sports, regardless of the individual disciplines. That’s why it’s a concept that has a future.
Wouldn’t it also be nice for the athletes if they weren’t accommodated in different hotels, but in a common village like at the Olympics?
That would be difficult to achieve and would not even work where the Olympic Games have already taken place, because the apartments built for this purpose have long since been sold or rented. As it is now, the concept fits very well.
Now you are world champion and European champion. What’s to come now?
Well, what else is there (laughs). No seriously: Of course the Olympics are a goal. There are still two years to go. I’ll do my best to go there in even better shape than after Doha and Munich.
