Caroline Bjerkele Grovdal, 33, doesn't think she could have done anything differently after missing out on European Commission gold in the 5,000m while running.
The short version
- Caroline Pierkely Grovdal took silver in the 5000m during the European Championships, beating Nadia Battocleti of Italy.
- Home Hope was pulled by the Norwegian girl throughout the race, but was irresistible in the sprint.
- This is Grøvdal's best EC performance on track, but the gold is still missing.
– Of course I'm a bit disappointed, says Grovdal after progressing from 500m to 4850m.
Italian Nadia Pattocletti (24) quickly overcame and took the gold on her home turf, setting a new European Championship record: 14.35.29.
Grøvdal gave her best EC performance on the track with the silver medal, but the gold medal is still missing for Norway's best woman in the long distance.
– It's bittersweet when I do all the work and she serves him, but Silver is my best on the track. I'm left with the fact that I did everything I could and did all the work. Before Patocleti eventually became stronger, that was the case, says Grovdal.
The 33-year-old's analysis is that she could not have solved the problem differently tactically.
-You were hoping all the way, but I waited a little while for you to come. I'm not miserable, but you feel like you did all the work and didn't get rewarded for it.
– I wasn't interested in trick racing, because there are a lot of people who can participate along the way. I used my skills, which was to try to 'grind' the rest, says Grovdal, who has led competitors to a number of different records.
In third place, Marta Garcia set the Spanish record with 13.52.98, and Dutchwoman Maureen Koster was in fourth place with 14.44.46. Finland's Natalie Blomqvist set a national record with a time of 14:44.72 in fifth place.
results
5000m:
Gold: Nadia Battocleti (Italy) 14.35,29
Silver: Caroline Bjerkele Grovdal (Norway) 14.38,62
Bronze: Maria Garcia Spain 14.44.04
4) Maureen Koster, Netherlands 14:44.46, 5) Natalia Blomquist, Finland 14:44.72, 6) Hanna Klein, Germany 14:58.28.
More Norwegians: 11) Amalie Satten 15.17,41, 14) Kristina Ekrem Ingeset, 15.20,02.
– Better go to bed and know I did the job, then I wasn't fast enough. I hope so, but I tried, says Grovdal.
Caroline Berkeley Grovdal won two European Union gold medals in cross-country and two European Union bronze medals on the track (10,000 meters and 3,000 meters steeplechase).
Soon-to-be 34-year-old Caroline Bjerkely Grovdal has competed in international tournaments for half her life. She made her debut in the Osaka toilet 17 years ago.
Before the European Championships in Munich two years ago, she was also among the favourites, but back problems put an end to her.
Grøvdal will run a half marathon on Sunday morning.
“I won't move a meter,” she says, laughing a little.
Regarding her own opportunities, she says:
– I don't know. I think I'm a bit of an underdog there.
Amalie Sæten served the press with 15.17.41 and was 11th, while Kristin Ekrem Engeset was 14th. She is also with New Press – 15.20, 02.
It's been 30 years since a Norwegian woman – javelin thrower Trine Hatstad – won gold at the European Athletics Championships. While Ingrid Christiansens is the only Norwegian woman to have ever won European Commission gold in running, having won the 10,000 meters in 1986.
Earlier in the evening, Laura Garcia Caro's bronze medal evaporated in the worst possible way:
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
