The invincible Nafissatou in the heptathlon
By winning at the European championships once again, one month after bringing back gold from the World Championships, Nafissatou Thiam confirms her long-standing domination in this discipline.
The heptathlon is undoubtedly the most demanding discipline in athletics. Athletes compete in the 100 m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 m, long jump, javelin and finally the 800 m, all in two days.
Nafissatou was majestic on the Munich track from day one of the competition. The Namur-based athlete even came close to her personal best in the high jump (2.02 m), clearing the bar at 1.98 m. The next day, although she totally messed up her long jump with only one valid jump, at 6.08 m, out of her three attempts, a long way from her personal best of 6.86 m, she was never threatened and remained in the lead until the final race over 800 m, which she handled calmly and brilliantly.
The Belgian athlete therefore wins her 11th international medal since 2014, when she finished third at the European Championships in Zurich. She has now remained unchallenged in the heptathlon for six years. Few athletes in the history of athletics have dominated their discipline for so long.
We must also mention the wonderful performance by Noor Vidts. Fourth before the final event, she was very close to winning the European bronze, just 48 points behind Annik Kälin from Switzerland.
No doubt the Belgian national anthem will be heard again and again at future world competitions.