Another test of maturity for Marcell Jacobs, a few weeks before the Tokyo Olympic Games. The Italian record holder of the 100 meters is second in Stockholm with a time of 10.05, in the fifth stage of the Wanda Diamond League, shoulder to shoulder with the American Ronnie Baker (10.03), second in the world this year thanks to the 9.85 run in the final of the Trials Americans of Eugene.
The blue sprinter of the Fiamme Oro, as already in Rovereto, encounters the headwind (-0.8) at the Bauhaus-Galan and despite everything signs another world-class time trial, putting behind him quality sprinters like the British Chijindu Ujah (10.10) , the American Isiah Young (10.13), the Canadians Aaron Brown and Jerome Blake both at 10.18, the other USA (from 9.85) Marvin Bracy (today 10.19), the Swede Henrik Larsson (10.39).
Dashing into lane 3, alongside Baker (lane 4), Jacobs proves once more that he is ready for Tokyo’s five-circle stage, holding up to one of Japan’s top medal candidates. “Today I give myself an eight and a half, almost nine – the words of Jacobs hot – I missed running next to some of the favorites for the Olympic medal, I wanted this confrontation, I had nothing to lose and I’m happy to have dueled with Baker until at the last meter. Actually, I’m actually sorry I didn’t win: around 85 meters, when I saw I was ahead of Baker, I wanted to overdo it, I hardened instead of letting go and I lost a couple of supports. Sin. But today was an important test towards Tokyo. If I lose two cents from those who run 9.85 it doesn’t mean I’m worth 9.87 but it will surely mean something. And of the three who started with better personal records than mine, I put two behind me. Excellent signal ».