Pre-event favourites Audrey Werro and Stefan Nillessen booked their places in Saturday’s middle distance finals, with classy victories in the heats at the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships on Thursday (17).
Bergen 2025 is being live streamed on the European Athletics website courtesy of the Eurovision Sport Platform.
European leader Werro made light work of the women’s 800m heats, cruising to a start to finish victory, winning heat one in 2:00.89 ahead of European U20 1500m gold medallist Dilek Koçak of Türkiye, who tracked the twice European U20 gold medallist to qualify second with 2:01.34.
Britain’s Abigail Ives also caught the eye with a trouble-free run to win heat two in 2:02.19 to book lane in Saturday’s final.
“It was a good race for me but not the best one,” said Werro. “My goal was to qualify for the final, but I felt like it wasn't my best performance today. It was a little bit difficult as well and stressful having all the other strong girls behind me.
“Before the competitions my coach told me to focus on qualifying for the final and not put everything out before it. In general, I think my form is good.”
A taste of being favourite
Defending champion Nillessen confirmed his place the men’s 1500m final. An Olympic finalist, he won heat one in 3:43.90 in routine style.
He ran within the pack, progressed to the front by the bell and led the pack to the finish, always doing just enough to qualify.
Heat two was a much more robust affair with athletes jostling on multiple occasions, but French duo Paul Anselmini and Anas Lagtiy Chaoudar stayed clear and took the first two qualifying berths in 3:44.92 and 3:44.93.
“The first half of the race it was all about being a little laid back and staying relaxed to check what happens next. Then during the middle of the race, I started to push to the front more all the while controlling my back what other competitors were also doing," said Nillessen who also runs in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase on Saturday morning.
“My main goal in these U23 European Championships is simply to have fun and gain enough experience for Tokyo this year. I would also like to taste the experience of what my new role as being one of the favourites entails.”