1. Eliott Crestan easily qualifies for the 800m
Aligned in the 3rd series of the qualifications on the 800m, Elliot Crestan didn’t flinch, even securing a fine 1st place. Starting rather cautiously, the Namurois took advantage of the penultimate lap to increase the pace. Despite the return of Swede Andreas Kramer in the last row, he was no longer overtaken and therefore completed his 800m in 1:47:76. So he goes to the semi-finals.
“It was the objective to pass instead because there are few fished out at the time. The selections are different than usual. Normally, it’s 16 places in the semi-finals, here it’s 12. So happy. I thought the Swede was going to go full throttle, he often does. I put myself in front, I slowed down the race, I was overtaken, so I had to make a little effort but it passed” he explained at the microphone of Martin Weynants following his run.
2. Aurèle Vandeputte eliminated in the 800m
No miracle on his side for Aurèle Vandeputte. The 27-year-old from Bruges might not do anything in his series, collapsing on the last lap of his 800m to finally finish 5th. A chrono in, 1’49″48, which allows him to beat his best time of the season but which will not open the doors to a semi-final.
3. Tibo de Smet, best European time of the year, eliminated in the heats
In the followingmath, the Belgian disappointment of the day came from Tibo De Smet. Best European time of the year (and 2nd best world time of 2023), the 23-year-old athlete was unable to confirm his dazzling form since he too took the door of the 800m from the series. 3rd in his series in 1’48″43, he remains in effect at the quay, the rescued at the time being few in Istanbul. A huge disappointment for him who harbored great ambitions. “I have no explanations. If there was an injury or pain? No. I will see with my coach. Yes, it really was the worst race at the worst time” he explained following the race.
