Croatian sensation: Marino Bloudek wins European silver in 800m after 52-year drought

Marino Bloudek secured a remarkable silver medal in the 800-meter race at the European Championships, achieving a personal best time and continuing Croatia's long-standing tradition of success at the event. The 23-year-old athlete, who was not considered a favorite, ran the race of his life to finish second.

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What can I say? Congratulations to Mark English, but since I am second, this is a gold medal for me. I can't say anything else.

In a dramatic finish, Bloudek battled fiercely against strong competitors, including Spain's Attoui and Ireland's Mark English. He bravely led the race for a period before English surged ahead in the final stretch. English claimed gold with a time of 1:45.26, followed closely by Bloudek at 1:45.62, and Attoui in third at 1:45.71.

This silver medal is particularly significant as it marks Croatia's first medal in the 800-meter discipline in 52 years, since Luciano Sušanj won gold in 1974. It also extends Croatia's impressive streak of securing at least one medal at every European Athletics Championships for 16 consecutive years.

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This competition, these rivals... I am extremely satisfied, overjoyed. Emotions overwhelmed me, there were tears of joy, especially when I reached my fiancée and coach.

Bloudek expressed immense joy and satisfaction with his performance. "What can I say? Congratulations to Mark English, but since I am second, this is a gold medal for me. I can't say anything else," he stated in the mixed zone. "This competition, these rivals... I am extremely satisfied, overjoyed. Emotions overwhelmed me, there were tears of joy, especially when I reached my fiancée and coach."

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It was one of the goals, but even during the warm-up, I knew I was good and ready. I saw it in the accelerations.

He revealed that visualizing the moment of success was a key part of his preparation. "It was one of the goals, but even during the warm-up, I knew I was good and ready. I saw it in the accelerations," Bloudek explained. "After the semifinal performance, I reviewed everything several times in detail. I knew I had a very good finish and that if I positioned myself well and stayed close to the leaders, I would do very well."

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After the semifinal performance, I reviewed everything several times in detail. I knew I had a very good finish and that if I positioned myself well and stayed close to the leaders, I would do very well.