Olympics, triathlon: Norwegian Blummenfelt wins, chaos for a false start

Norwegian gold and a false start in the men’s test that opens the Olympic triathlon program (1.5 km of swimming, 40 cycling and 10 running). The victory rewards the 27 year old Kristian Blummenfelt who, with a super last fraction, in 1h45’04 ”gives his country the first five-circle title of the discipline. Behind him are the British Alex Yee, former junior cross-country athletics team (at 11 “) and the New Zealander Alex Wilde (at 20”). The other expected Briton Jonathan Brownlee, silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in London 2012, brother of Alistair, champion on both occasions, is fifth after the Belgian Marten Van Riel. Everything is decided in the last of the four (2.5 km) laps of the race. Blummenfelt, of the six in the lead, clearly has more and none responds to his decisive attack. Even due to the extreme conditions, he still ends up on the edge and is taken away in a wheelchair. Little glory for the Italians, in the leading group until the end of the bike test: Gianluca Pozzatti closes 37th at 4’10 ”, Delian Stateff 39th at 4’56”.

the episode

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What happens at the start, at 6.30 local time to precede the great heat, is also taken care of, when in any case there are already 27 degrees with 75% humidity (the organizers have provided areas with air conditioning at departure and arrival, extra stations for water supply and medical personnel every 500 meters of the race). It happens that about thirty of the 56 participants, in the water after swimming for 100-150 meters, are stopped for… false start. Fault of the pilot of a boat with some filming staff on board who, despite the start siren being sounded, continues its dangerous trajectory, preventing the athletes from continuing freely in the action and even risking to hit someone. Unheard of. Tomorrow, with the same times (today at 11.30 pm Italian time) the female test with the blue Alice Betto, Angelica Olmo and Verena Steinhauser.