A Big Dose of Emotions in Paris. Anita Włodarczyk Just a Bit Away from a Medal!

Anita Włodarczyk was the best in the women’s hammer throw at the last three Olympic Games. In Paris, however, she was not considered among the favorites for gold. First of all, she is getting on in years, but at the same time, it is a difficult time after the last Olympics in Tokyo, where she was recovering from a serious injury. This year, she became the vice-champion of Europe, but no one spoke out loud about the fact that in the capital of France she could join the fight for the podium. In the qualifying rounds, our champion achieved the twelfth result, which is the last one that guarantees a ticket to the start in the final.

Włodarczyk was getting going in Paris

Everything started very well for the Polish representative. After the first series of throws, she was in third place with a result of 73.17 m. Later, however, her rivals started to improve, but at the same time there was quite a squeeze at the top. Włodarczyk’s subsequent results were no better than the first attempt. First, she threw 72.17 m and 73.13 m. However, it was an even throw and there was hope that at any moment the 38-year-old could fire up like in the old days.

At the halfway point of the competition, Włodarczyk entered the narrow final with a seventh result. The American Annette Echikunwoke was leading with a result of 75.48, but the competitors changed places after each series.

In the fourth attempt, there was already progress, because our hammer thrower achieved 73.61. This did not allow her to move up in the classification. What is delayed, is not lost. In the fifth series, Włodarczyk added again and the result of 74.23 m appeared next to her name. Unfortunately, at that time she lost only four centimeters to the third Chinese Jie Zhao. Meanwhile, in the same series, the Canadian Camryn Rogers recorded a great result (77.96 m). She moved into a clear lead.

Włodarczyk without a medal

Unfortunately, nothing changed in the last series in the context of Włodarczyk’s situation. The hammer caught the net after her throw and lost speed. This meant fourth place, but it still has to be considered an incredible result. On Tuesday, the three-time Olympic champion said goodbye to the most important sports event in a great way.