During these European Athletics Championships, Gabriel Tual, after Cyréna Samba-Mayela in the 100m hurdles, and just a few minutes after Alice Finot in the 3000m steeplechase, won the continental title in the 800 meters event. All in all, a great evening for the French. The native of Villeneuve-sur-Lot had already distinguished himself in the semi-final, allowing him to approach the final in the sixth lane.
The big “perf” before the Games
The start sounded, Gabriel Tual was somewhat forgotten in the peloton before settling into second position after the first 400m. The more the meters go by, the more it seems clear that the final decision will be between the Frenchman and his Spanish opponent. In the last turn leading to the final straight, Gabriel Tual toughens the race and gains every meter like a boss. In the final strides of the race, there is no longer any doubt, the logical winner is Lot-et-Garonnais. “I did it again from the semi-final. This was the tactic established with my trainer Bernard Mossan and Amaury, my mental trainer. I wanted to adopt this tactic, and the plan was perfect, I made very few mistakes throughout”, he commented after the race for France Télévisions. The latter won in 1’44″87, ahead of the Spaniard Mohamed Attaoui (1’45″20) and the Italian Catalin Tecuceanu (1’45″40) on the podium. He then materialized the fourth medal for France since the start of the championships. “To do three races in three days is complicated. My legs were starting to burn, but I stayed focused until the end. Experience begins to speak and I gain confidence. I also arrive in good shape compared to other years. A medal is super important. I will quickly take advantage of this title, and get back to training, because I would like to lower my best time, but the objective is Paris. It will be difficult because there will be other big clients opposite. »
