It is not yet officially confirmed that marathon runner Nienke Brinkman will be able to take part in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Dutchwoman ran under the Olympic mark in the Boston marathon on Monday and thought she was all but assured of a ticket. It seemed the Athletic Union had given him wrong information.
“It was our mistake,” a spokesperson for the Athletics Union told NU.nl on Tuesday. “Our technical director (Vincent Kortbeek, ed.) received additional information today and unfortunately came to the conclusion that the course in Boston was unsatisfactory. We understand that this is very disturbing for Nienke.”
The 29-year-old Brinkman clocked 2:24.58, well under the Olympic limit of 2:26.50. Due to the unusual course – there are many elevation differences in Boston – the time apparently did not meet international requirements.
According to line World Athletics, the height difference should not exceed 1 meter per kilometer. That limit was exceeded in Boston.
Immediately following the marathon, it was unclear whether Brinkman’s time would count toward Olympic qualification. After conflicting messages, the Dutch marathon sensation finally received good news from the Athletics Union on Monday evening, but the redemption news turned out to be premature.
Brinkman himself is not concerned about Olympic qualification
Brinkman received bad news from his management on Tuesday. By the way, on the eve of the marathon in Boston, he was not at all concerned about Olympic qualification. “I still have a year to do that,” said Brinkman, who was overjoyed when he (mistakenly) heard that he had received tickets to Paris.
The Athletics Association ensures that Brinkman will still win an Olympic ticket at the next stage. He still has a chance to run under the mark in another marathon. His position in the world rankings may also be enough to participate in the Olympics.
Brinkman achieved his breakthrough last year by finishing second in the Rotterdam marathon. The athlete who lives in Switzerland then set a Dutch record of 2:22.51. At the European Championships in Munich, Brinkman finished with bronze.
In Boston, the athlete ran only the fourth marathon in his career. His time of 2:24.58 was good for fifteenth place.
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18 apr 2023 om 06:31
Loopfenomeen Brinkman verrast zichzelf met olympisch ticket: ‘Het was erg zwaar’
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17 apr 2023 om 20:05
Brinkman loopt olympische limiet in marathon Boston en gaat naar Spelen in Parijs
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