No excuses for Andreas Almgren at European Championships: 'The goal is gold'

Andreas Almgren enters the European Championship 10,000m race with unwavering confidence, declaring that he has no excuses for his performance and that his sole objective is gold. The Swedish distance runner has meticulously planned his preparation, leaving nothing to chance as he targets the season's highlight, an event he has been focused on since achieving a bronze medal at the World Championships last summer.

“

No, I am in really, really good shape. I have not had any problems at all in the preparations and I believe I am in my absolute best form.

Almgren emphasized his excellent physical condition, stating, "I am in really, really good shape. I have not had any problems at all in the preparations and I believe I am in my absolute best form." Despite the current heatwave, he expressed a preference for warmer conditions, having undertaken heat training in a chamber to acclimatize his blood values, simulating the effects of a high-altitude camp. "So I am incredibly prepared for heat and would have liked to see it continue."

“

So I am incredibly prepared for heat and would have liked to see it continue.

The field of competitors has thinned for Almgren, with several key rivals withdrawing due to injuries. Notably, Germany's Mohamed Abdilaahi, the world's fastest in the 10,000m this year, pulled out with a foot injury. "I saw Mohamed as a strong contender for gold. I have trained with him a bit and know he is in very good shape. It certainly benefits me, but at the same time, I want the best to be present at a championship. So it's sad that he is not starting," Almgren commented.

“

I saw Mohamed as a strong contender for gold. I have trained with him a bit and know he is in very good shape. It certainly benefits me, but at the same time, I want the best to be present at a championship. So it's sad that he is not starting.

France's Yann Schrub, who recently broke Almgren's European record on the road, and Spain's Thierry Ndikumwenayo are also absent. However, French runner Jimmy Gressier, the reigning world champion, is set to compete. Almgren acknowledged Gressier as a potential favorite, noting that "several of us have gold as a goal." Almgren, who last competed at the Swedish Championships three weeks prior, has since reduced his training volume while increasing intensity to peak for the EM.

“

I would say that Jimmy is a bigger favorite than I am. We are probably several who have gold as a goal.