Marcell Jacobs, the enigma

The form of the Italian Olympic champion in the 100m remains a mystery almost a month after his withdrawal before the semi-finals at the World Championships in Eugene (United States).

The summer season of the 60 m indoor world champion was polluted by injuries, the last of which in Oregon, a contracture of the adductor magnus of the right thigh.

“He runs without holding back, he has fun, the training sessions are promising, said his trainer Paolo Camossi, wanting to be reassuring before the European competition. If we are here in Munich it is because he is well and that he can compete. Marcell is here to win and he is not taking this race lightly."

Dina Asher-Smith, after the hat-trick

The Briton had been the star of the previous European Championships in Berlin in 2018 by achieving the treble 100m / 200m / 4x100m relay.

Returning to the top in 2022 after a disappointing Olympics, the 26-year-old sprinter won world bronze in the 200m in Eugene, but suffered an injury during the 4x100m final (hamstrings) and had to withdraw afterwards. the Commonwealth Games played at home in Birmingham in early August.

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She also has to face competition from her compatriot Daryll Neita and the Swiss Mujinga Kambundji.

Armand Duplantis, new record?

The Swedish pole vaulting genius revealed himself to the general public in Berlin in 2018 by winning a legendary competition with a jump of 6.05m at the age of 18.

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A priori unbeatable, he comes to Munich in the form of his life, having won the world titles indoors (Belgrade in March) and outdoors (Eugene in July) and after having beaten his own world record three times in 2022, increased to 6.21m in the United States last month.

Malaika Mihambo, lonely

European champion, double world champion and reigning Olympic champion, the 28-year-old long jumper is the star of a Germany team in full doubt before their home competition.

But Mihambo's form is a question mark after she contracted Covid-19 on her victorious return from Worlds in Eugene.

"I was tired, I felt weak, I didn't train for ten days, she explained on her federation's website. Unfortunately the symptoms and the isolation prevented me from training. have an optimal preparation. My last real session took place before the Worlds. I was in great shape, I wanted to show in Munich that I was able to jump even further than in Eugene (7.12 m). I will try to do my best, knowing that I will surely not be at my level of performance of Eugene.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen wants more

Titled in the 5,000m but frustrated by his second place in the 1,500m at the Worlds, the Norwegian, registered in both disciplines in Munich, unfortunately will not find his British executioner Jake Wightman, aligned only in the 800m.

Four years after his Berlin double (at 17), Ingebrigtsen is a huge favorite for both races, while several of his major competitors are missing over 1,500m (Spanish Mohamed Katir, Briton Josh Kerr).

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"Maybe they feel like they don't have the chance to win gold, so maybe they don't want to fight for silver or bronze...I figure they are not there because they are not ready enough", tackled the Norwegian in front of the press of his country, sparing Wightman whose program had been established before the season.

Karsten Warholm revenge

Too tight physically after a muscle injury in early June, the world record holder and Norwegian Olympic champion in the 400m hurdles only finished seventh at the Worlds and is hoping for revenge in Bavaria.

"I don't like to lose, it annoys me, I have to admit. But at the same time it suits me because it means that I put my heart into what I do. Emotions are very strong when I win. or when I lose," he told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.

© 2022 AFP