Erik Erlandsson’s being or not being in the WC final in the 200 meters became a messy story.
The 20-year-old came to the EC with the 25th best time, and looked ready for the final.
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This after finishing in exactly the same time (20.52) as the Czech Tomas Nemejc and on the big screen and the EC’s website it said that he took the very last final place.
– Is it the final? Oh my… Yes!, he exclaimed when he received the final announcement from SVT Sport.
– Shit fun, really, he said later, obviously surprised – and very happy.
– I don’t know what to say. I’m a little shocked, actually. I came here hardly thinking I would make it to the semis.
Only Johan Wissman (20.30) and Henrik Larsson (20.44) have run faster in Swedish athletics history.
But a few minutes later the q, which marked his final place, was removed.
“Had to get really angry”
Then Sweden submitted a protest, and the national team captain Kajsa Bergqvist came out after a visit to the jury room with a smile on her face.
– There will be nine runners in the final, she tells SVT Sport.
– It felt like a complete given, that’s why you have nine courses in the final in a championship, so that if it’s the same thousandth, both have to go on.
Bergqvist thus had more success in the jury room tonight than yesterday – when Henrik Larsson missed out on a medal in the 100 meters after jury chaos.
– Then I had to get really angry today too, haha. But this time I can leave here with a smile on my face, he’s in again.
But why was he removed?
– No clue. There is no reasonable explanation for that.
Then his final place was taken away, and a judge said that the protest did not go through – even though Bergqvist received confirmation from the European Union.
But the adventures didn’t end there. Just before midnight, a message came, which in any case is said to be final: Erlandsson can run the final, and there will be nine runners in the final.
“Case closed”, writes an international judge to SVT Sport.
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Erik Erlandsson received the final announcement from SVT: “Yes!”. Photo: SVT