The first international championship experience was parodic and sad for Enrico Güntert.
In the 60m trials heat at the European Indoor Championships, he was disqualified for a false start, but the Swiss filed a protest that cleared him.
He then had to run by himself in his own heat to try to qualify for the semi-finals.
The kick-off went in the Ataköy Arena - but immediately afterwards he was stopped for a false start.
- Minus two tenths - you couldn't see with the naked eye that he ran away before the shot, says SVT's commentator Niklas Nord.
"Must be some technical error"
The officials reviewed Güntert's start, then showed him a green flag.
The 25-year-old tried to refocus, waited for the go-ahead.
Put hands on the blue running track, feet on the starting blocks.
Third chance – but also the third signal for a false start.
- What is going on?
Something is wrong again.
It's negative reaction again.
It could be something in his technique, that he swings in the starting blocks, says commentator Niklas Nord.
- I don't see him flinching, usually when there are clear false starts, you can see it with the naked eye.
It must be some technical fault, says expert Alhaji Jeng.
"Never experienced anything like it"
New review and this time Güntert saw the red card.
And the EC was over for Güntert.
- Something happened when I pressed my foot down on the starting block.
I didn't false start, but I think my foot moves a little at "done".
It could be what the machine reacts to, says Enrico Güntert to SVT Sport.
Have you experienced something similar?
- No never.
I have never before suffered a false start in my career.
And now three times.