Shot putter causes a stir with hurdles at European tournament

Because the Belgian team lost their 100m hurdlers due to injury, female shot putter Jolien Boumkwo volunteered to run in their place in the European athletics team.

At the starting line of the women’s 100m hurdles qualifying round, Boumkwo was the most noticeable, despite it being her first time competing, because she was more than a head taller than the others. When the camera panned to the Belgian athlete, she smiled and waved confidently.

Boumkwo in the women's 100m hurdles at the European Athletics Team Championships on June 24, 2023 in Poland. Photo: Reuters

Boumkwo regularly competes at the highest level in athletics, but in events like shot put, hammer throw, and discus throw. But on June 24, Belgium needed a hurdler who could run. Even one of them finishing last would earn the team two points, with the hope of avoiding relegation.

Belgium had registered two 100m hurdlers, but both were injured before the race. Failure to compete in either event would have resulted in Belgium being disqualified and relegated. So Boumkwo volunteered for the sake of the team. "I've only been learning hurdles for one day, so I'm not thinking too much about the result," she said before the start. "I'm just trying to get the best result I can and enjoy the experience."

Boumkwo did exactly what she said she would. Her size and speed weren't up to the task, but she still managed to clear each hurdle without breaking them. After crossing the finish line in 32.81 seconds, Boumkwo was met with cheers from the stands. She said she wasn't nervous, but instead felt the great atmosphere the crowd created. "I took it seriously," she added. "But I wasn't up to the task."

Swedish runner Maja Maunsbach ran up to Boumkwo to give her a high five after the race. Portuguese runner Catarina Queiros also came up to congratulate the Belgian. Maunsbach and Queiros finished seventh and sixth respectively, less than a second behind the leader Teresa Errandonea with a time of 13.22 seconds.

Shot putter causes a stir with hurdles at European tournament

Boumkwo's performance.

Boumkwo's performance video attracted more than two million views on Twitter , after two days. Hundreds of people commented, including praising the 30-year-old athlete's sportsmanship .

Boumkwo's story, however, was not all rosy. The two points she brought did not save Belgium from relegation, as they are still 6.5 points behind the team above them, Greece. Boumkwo is disappointed, of course, but she says she will never forget this tournament. "This is the best European tournament for me, because I have had beautiful memories," she said.

Hoang An (according to NYTimes )

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