European Athletics Championships: Lea Meyer calls her TV interview 'unprofessional and unsportsmanlike'

Hindernisläuferin Lea Meyer has publicly apologized for her critical remarks about European champion Gesa Krause made in a television interview immediately after falling in the 3000-meter steeplechase final at the European Athletics Championships. Meyer stated on Instagram that Krause deserved her victory, acknowledging that she herself had not performed well enough at the crucial moment and had made mistakes.

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Gesa is deservedly European champion. She chose the best tactics and played to her strengths.

"Unfortunately, I phrased that very unprofessionally and unsportsmanlike," the 28-year-old wrote, referring to her earlier comments to ZDF where she criticized Krause's tactics. Meyer had accused Krause of deliberately slowing the pace, stating, "Gesa just doesn't want to do anything for a meter. She waits it out and runs out at the back." Meyer had also expressed a belief that she deserved a medal.

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Unfortunately, I phrased that very unprofessionally and unsportsmanlike.

Meyer, who also fell at the water jump in the 2022 World Championships, explained that her intention in the interview was to look ahead. However, she now recognizes the need to avoid interview areas after such emotionally charged races. She emphasized her respect for all competitors and their achievements, while still affirming her ambition to become a German record holder by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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Gesa just doesn't want to do anything for a meter. She waits it out and runs out at the back.

Krause, who secured her third European title, had responded calmly to Meyer's initial criticism, noting that choosing to lead the race is a personal decision and that she is not a front-runner. Meyer's personal best is 9:09.13, while Krause's German record stands at 9:03.30, set in 2019.

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Who does the leading work decides for themselves. And I personally am just not such a front runner.