Peter Bol lapped up his breakthrough 800m silver medal on the Commonwealth Games however “daylight should’ve been second” to the Australian if not for one mistake with 300m to go.
That’s the view of twin Melbourne 2006 gold medallist John Steffensen, who believes Bol was caught off guard by Kenyan winner Wycliffe Kinyamal in Birmingham.
Watch the epic end in the video above
Bol himself conceded his first worldwide medal was bittersweet, desirous to win as the pre-race favorite however taking the creditable view that it’s “the first medal down” in his profession after such anticipation following the Tokyo Olympics.
“Strange race again and super slow but that’s the 800, super tactical,” the 28-year-old advised Channel 7.
“I thought ‘stay relaxed, stay relaxed, stay relaxed’ but he’s so strong, he just kept going.”
He added later: “If we had maybe another 20m I could have won but we’re only running 800 not 820.
“You look at the start list and there are no frontrunners out there.
“I knew it was going to be tactical and I knew I was going to have to come home strong and I think we did, so I’m happy with that.”
EVERY EVENT: Take a look at the complete Commonwealth Games schedule
MEDAL TALLY: Each gold, silver and bronze at Birmingham 2022
LATEST RESULTS: Detailed breakdown of each occasion on the Games
Steffensen paused and sighed when he was first requested for his ideas on Bol’s silver medal.
“I’m disappointed. I love Peter and I’ve spent a lot of time with him,” the Olympic silver medallist started on Channel 7’s Dawn.
“I said last night (on Seven) that Peter had to control the race, he had to dictate the race. He had to make the moves and be really positive with his move-making.”
Steffensen stated the outcome got here down to 1 second on the final lap.
“In the last 300, Bol had a chance to go around Kinyamal and he second-guessed himself and I think that’s what cost him the race,” he defined.
“He had the pedigree to win this. Daylight should’ve been second for Pete, and I’m sure in his heart he knows himself he’s a bit disappointed on the run.
“And fair play to him, halfway through the race, he would’ve been thinking Kinyamal’s been suffering all the way through – he’s really erratic.
“I reckon Bol just thought ‘he’ll fade with 200 to go’ – and he just kept going. I think if Bol had his way again, he would’ve just taken charge early, controlled the race and it would’ve been a different result.”
Identical to Tokyo 2020 on Seven, there might be one vacation spot to look at each epic feat, each medal second, each file try and each inspiring flip from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
7plus is the only place to watch up to 30 live and replay channels of sport, see what’s on when, preserve updated with the medal tally, create a watchlist to observe your favorite occasions and make amends for highlights.
