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| Germany's Ralf Bartels celebrates after winning the men's shot gold in Paris on Friday. |
He was expected to win and Ralf Bartels of Germany did not disappoint, giving a nerveless display and adding the European indoor title to the 2006 outdoor version with a 21.16 heave, making him third longest in the world this year.
Lying third in round one and led by Russia’s Maksim Sidorov and the host nation’s Gaetan Bucki, Bartels took a stranglehold on the title in the second round when the shot landed at 20.80. That alone would have secured gold, but in the fourth the Neubrandenburg sergeant increased his lead to 21.16 and sealed it with a 21.09 in the final round.
“My first attempt was really zero,” admitted Bartels. “So I knew that I had to deliver something. For me, having passed the qualification always makes me really relaxed and light in my head. It is like a psychological test. My fourth attempt with 21,16m felt really good although it was not perfect. There were still one or two reserves. I really liked the big crowd here. As an athlete you notice that; their support and everything. For the big party we might wait until tomorrow to celebrate together with the shot put girls. I hope to be able to go on top of the Eiffel tower, in the winter time the queues won't be as long as in the summer of 2003.”
Silver also went to Germany in the person of 20-year-old David Storl, junior world record holder and reigning European junior champion, who threw 20.75 in round three, just two centimetres short of his lifetime best. After surprisingly beating Bartels to the German indoor title last weekend, this is Storl’s first major senior medal.
Russian champion Sidorov could manage no better than a second round 20.55 for bronze after entering the championships with 20.70 and second best European performer. He briefly occupied the silver medal position with that throw until Storl entered the circle for his third round effort.
“I had some problems with my technique,” commented Sidorov. “Because we have different circles in Russia. So, I had to get used to it first and to make the technique more stable. We usually have concrete surface in the circle. The technique is the core of this event, so I still have something to improve. I think I can show even longer attempts. But generally, I am satisfied with the medal. It always counts.”