Gianmarco Tamberi, whose expectations of his Italian team have already been substantially met given that they have already secured more golds at the European Athletics Championships than ever before, secured his place in Tuesday’s men’s high jump final with a single clearance of 2.21m.
His arrival in the Stadio Olimpico was an event in itself as spectators rose to his characteristically exuberant exhortations, and much excitement was generated when he flipped over the bar in what was effectively an exhibition jump as he seeks a third European title following his wins in 2016 and 2022.
"Incredible desire"
“Starting the season with an European Championship is not easy but the past few weeks have led me to take this decision,” said Tamberi.
“I felt good today - it was important to get an easy qualification. Physically I feel good, I have to adjust some technical details but I am confident that the enthusiasm of this audience will help me in the final.
“The main goal of the season is set on Olympics, but I want to win here in Rome even though I know that won't be easy.
“I am really proud to be the leader of a team that is achieving so much success. We all have an incredible desire to emulate our team-mates. And I know that the love of Stadio Olimpico will be very important in the final.”
Germany’s 2018 European champion Mateusz Przybylko also progressed, albeit after requiring three attempts to get over at 2.21m, but Tamberi’s team-mate Marco Fassinotti did not make the cut after managing a best of 2.17m
Mr Cool bounds to triple jump final
Earlier, Portugal’s Olympic and defending men’s triple jump champion Pedro Pichardo had qualified for Tuesday night’s final in similar fashion with a single, almost casual effort.
The 30-year-old Cuban-born athlete was Mr Cool. Despite taking off conservatively back on the board he registered 17.48m – comfortably in excess of the automatic mark of 16.65m.
Pichardo, who has a best this season of 17.51m and a 2015 personal best of 18.08m, remained half kneeling in the pit, raising his hand to his chin as if in thought, before making his exit. He hadn’t needed even to take off the baseball cap reversed on his head.
But Pichardo will have serious opposition in the shape of the 23-year-old Cuban who topped the second qualifying group with 17.52m, Jordan Diaz Fortun, who won the European U20 title six years ago.
He is well aware of the situation, however. “The level of the triple jump is really high at the moment,” he said. “There are some new and young guys on the circuit, and they are not making it easier to anyone. In fact, you need to hit a top mark these days to win or even to medal. It is not the time to take things for granted.”
Barr raised by Irish success
As if he had already done well enough at these championships, given his sub-45 split in helping Ireland win the 400m mixed team gold, Thomas Barr was top qualifier to join the big guns of the men’s 400m hurdles in tomorrow’s semi-finals as he clocked a season’s best of 49.31.
Czechia’s Nikoleta Jichova was fastest qualifier to tomorrow’s women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals – where world champion Femke Bol et al await – as she equalled her personal best of 54.88, with Eileen Demes of Germany second fastest with a personal best of 55.25.
Norway’s Katrine Jacobsen topped women’s hammer qualifying with a season’s best of 72.88m, with home thrower Sara Fantini second best thanks to a confidence-boosting third-round effort of 72.28m.
Poland’s 38-year-old throwing legend Anita Wlodarczyk, who has four European titles to her name, qualified fifth best for tomorrow’s final with 71.27m.
Switzerland’s Felix Svensson topped qualifying for tonight’s men’s 200m semi-finals with 20.52. Roko Farkas also progressed with a Croatian record of 20.70, bettering the mark of 20.76 set in 1981 by Zeljko Knapic.
Mike Rowbottom for European Athletics