It was difficult for French hurdler Pascal Martinot-Lagarde to digest his defeat to American Omo Osaghae by just 0.01 in the 60m hurdles final at the IAAF World Championships in Sopot.
He was the world leader and favourite entering the competition, but a costly mistake on the first obstacle meant he was forced to play catch up and in the end it just wasn’t enough to catch Osaghae who won with 7.45.
“It’s frustrating because my start to the season was excellent; I made my return to competition with 7.45, I was in great shape and the track in Sopot seemed really quick,” Martinot-Lagarde said.
He certainly missed a great opportunity to challenge the French national indoor record held by Ladji Doucouré of 7.42.
Fortunately for Martinot-Lagarde, the main objective of the season remains the European Athletics Championships in Zurich this summer.
“I tried to integrate some changes over the winter to my starting technique, I now use seven strides before reaching the first hurdle instead of eight, which I am sure will pay off over 110m.”
In Sopot, Martinot-Lagarde was joined on the podium by another Frenchman Garfiel Darien, who was third in 7.47.
This event is certainly one of the strongest in terms of participants for France, also boasting Thomas Martinot-Lagarde, Pascal’s brother, who was finalist at last year’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow, and also Ladji Doucouré, the Helsinki 2005 world champion who is regaining his form.
Also last weekend Wilhelm Belocian the European iunior champion from Rieti last year set a new 60m hurdles junior world indoor record with 7.48 in Val-de-Reuil, demonstrating that the next generation of French hurdlers is already on the way.
Only three of these athletes will be representing France at the European Athletics Championships, and a major showdown is to be expected at the French national championships in July in Reims.
“It’s almost certain that all three of the athletes competing in Zurich will reach the final. The French nationals will look somewhat like what we are used to seeing in the USA or Jamaica, with a huge battle for the qualifying spots,” Martinot-Lagarde added.
After winning silver and bronze at major indoor championships, he is ready to claim his first outdoor title.
“Gold will be the only option in Zurich, but I would be even happier to see my brother beside me on the podium.”