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German Golds in Birmingham as Pole‑Vault Error Clouds Decathlon Win

An officiating mistake that forced athletes to retake pole‑vault attempts is drawing criticism for its effect on results and for causing extra exertion and a minor injury to the winner.

Overview

  • Leo Neugebauer, who secured decathlon gold Thursday, finished with 8,611 points and held off teammate Niklas Kaul by 38 points after a dramatic final 1,500‑metre race.
  • Officials repeatedly set the pole‑vault equipment to the wrong height and two athletes had to repeat valid attempts, a failure coaches called a competition distortion that cost extra energy and left Neugebauer with a slight calf injury.
  • Gesa Felicitas Krause won her third European title in the 3,000m steeplechase with Olivia Gürth taking bronze while Lea Meyer fell at the last water jump, criticized Krause in a post‑race outburst and later called her remarks unprofessional.
  • Germany added further success across events, including Henrik Janssen’s discus bronze in Birmingham and Johannes Liebmann’s European‑record 800m gold in Paris, highlighting strong German form at the continental championships.
  • Sprinter Owen Ansah advanced to the 200m final and remains eligible to compete while a National Anti Doping Agency proposal for a four‑year ban over an alleged sample refusal is unresolved, leaving his status subject to the agency’s ongoing process.