KIMbia’s Bob Tahri finished eighth in the 3,000-meter-steeplechase final at the World Championships in Helsinki on Tuesday evening (9th August). The Frenchman clocked 8:19.96 minutes and appeared to be not quite fresh enough to contest for a medal in the final stages of the race.
The race had been slow for a long time. The 2,000m mark was reached in 5:40.39 minutes. And it was not before about 600 meters from the finish that the later winner and big favorite Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Quatar) picked up the pace. In the end, he clocked 8:13.31 minutes. So under normal conditions this race could have suited Bob Tahri, who gave the following interview:
The race could have been perfect for you if you would have been in the shape from three weeks ago. You finished eighth clocking 8:19.96 minutes. What happened?
Bob Tahri: Somehow I was feeling tired. My legs were heavy in the last lap and I couldn’t kick-off for a final sprint as I usually can. I don’t know but there was so much pressure on me and I just couldn’t handle it.
What are the next steps you take? Do you finish the season and go back to training?
Bob: I have to talk to my coach first and then we will decide when and how we will get back to training. But yes, I want to first run some more races and then finish the season.
You were wearing a black sharpen on your vest. For whom are you mourning?
Bob: Today France’s Olympic Champion Colette Besson passed away. She won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico at the 400m.
What did you learn from these World Championships for the next season?
Bob: I have to learn to run more aggressive and to take it as a chance and not to destroy myself mentally because of too much pressure. I will now focus on two main goals: the next World Championships in Osaka in 2007 and the Olympic Games in Beijing one year later. It all started well at the beginning of the season. I set a new personal best at the 3,000m, but obviously I then concentrated on some other things. I now felt this in my legs during the final.
