the interview
Marcell Jacobs, two Olympic gold medals with a European record, talks to our newspaper about his magical year and at the same time shows indifferent to the criticisms coming from the British world, motivating them by the fact that someone has not digested his role as an outsider.
What amused you the most in 2021?
“I just had fun this season. I took away the satisfactions that I had been pursuing for years and I did everything with a smile ».
What bothered her instead?
«The controversies do not affect me. Nobody gave me anything, I took every hundredth of a second tooth and nail. The British skepticism amazes me a little because they did not have athletes who could aim for victory, I expected frustrations from the US who had three contenders rather ».
Maurice Greene argues that the Anglo-Saxon world feels master of the specialty.
“And who else has won besides them? Right Hary, German, and 60 years have passed and Borzov in 1972 otherwise USA, England, Canada, Caribbean, however the same tradition, is a very limited domain. Mine is not the victory of an individual, but of Italy which showed that it could be where no one had ever thought of putting it. And as happened in athletics it can happen in any other field ».
How has your opinion changed in Italy?
«I am admired by the respect: people are keen to let me know that they have experienced great emotions thanks to me, but they don’t want to be annoying. It moves me when they say “You made me dream” ».
And the consideration abroad?
«There too great awards. Those who pretend to be amazed do not know the sprint ».
Did you get a rational explanation from those who continue to doubt you?
“They don’t have one, they criticize because they don’t like the fact that an outsider, out of their radar, has taken the stage.”
Is Bolt a reference?
«I’ve seen the races, the documentaries, the film, I’ve read the biography. I am a follower ».
First he complimented her, then wrote that if he had been there, in Japan, he would have won again.
«It seems normal to me, he left as a king and feels the crown as his own. I don’t see negative thoughts towards me ».
No response on the flag stolen challenge?
“No, it remains a very good idea and I’m sure he’ll pick it up sooner or later. I wait”.
Removed its gold what is the company of the year?
«Gimbo, Tamberi’s success at the top which at this point becomes an anniversary for both of us. Every first of August. And when we get together we really make a mess. ”
Where does 2022 start from?
«From February 4th, in Berlin. Indoor competition, even if we will see how far to go with the indoor season. Our goal is the World Cup in the USA this summer ».
Coleman returns after being disqualified for doping. How will he look at it?
“From top to bottom, if not tall for reasons of height. He is a great rival and the fact that he lost the Games due to a lack of control will give him extra motivation ».
After Tokyo he needed a break, now he speculates to skip the Indoor World Championships in March, aren’t you afraid of being considered one of a competition a year?
“I learned the hard way that choices are not made based on the judgments of others, often synonymous with the interests of others. I am taking care of the details of my race, 60 meters is not my specialty so we will establish the calendar based on my priorities. Athletes are not robots ».
The relay won gold. And now she wants the last leg. How you do it?
«I only said that I would also like to close, over the next few months we will see everyone’s times and then who has to decide. I run where they put me, I just don’t want a possibility to be ruled out regardless ».
When you review that Olympics success, do you think he should have been in Tortu’s place?
“No, I’m thinking of that penny less, thanks to all of us and I’m proud of it.”
Tortu is Covid positive again. Sport, like all of Italy, is experiencing another wave of uncertainty. Would the mandatory vaccine help?
“I’m in no position to give verdicts. I believe that this pandemic has presented us with evidence: we cannot think only of ourselves. Defining one’s freedom is as important as showing solidarity “.
Was your mother more surprised by the gold or the wedding scheduled for September?
“He expected both. The wedding of course, after two children then. But she is also the person who believed in me the most and told me that I would have won the Olympics since I was little ».
Are you or your partner more influencer?
“Nicole, for sure. I show myself how I am, even off the track because if we don’t want to be considered robots we cannot show ourselves as such ».
What to take from Federica Pellegrini?
“Her world record, since she has one. I would like it so much too ».
The 100 meter one is at 9 ”58, can you beat it?
“If Bolt did it, he can, however exceptional we are talking about a human being. I first have to figure out how to get there, but for sure it’s a goal ».
And to Valentino Rossi, another phenomenon who has just retired, what would he take?
«The number of victories. Impressive, even if I really don’t imagine a career as long as yours ».
Place of the heart?
“I have three. Tenerife, where I am now, at 25 degrees, because it is the place of every new beginning. Desenzano, where I grew up because there is the track of desires and Rome, at the field where I struggle every day because I feel good there ».
Has the relationship with your coach Paolo Camossi changed?
“We are more dicks than before, we both have problems being serious.”
Guests for a memorable dinner.
«Lewis Hamilton, the sportsman I support the most. Barack Obama, there is no need to explain, the Pope and here too I just listen and Achilles. I am obsessed with mythology, I would like to ask him if all that heroism really existed and if it made sense to go to war every time without thinking about it. Whether it was courage or recklessness ». –
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