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Neugebauer and Krause Win Gold as Pole‑Vault Error Clouds Decathlon

A jury upheld Neugebauer's protest after organisers mis‑set pole‑vault equipment, forcing re‑jumps that raised questions about competitive fairness.

Overview

  • Leo Neugebauer secured the European decathlon title with 8,611 points and Niklas Kaul took silver in a dramatic finish on Thursday.
  • Officials displayed 4.80 m but had the bar set at 4.70 m, annulled the initial group attempts, and later failed to set stand distances correctly, forcing multiple re‑jumps in very hot conditions.
  • The competition jury first rejected Neugebauer's protest and then upheld it, allowing an extra attempt that Neugebauer cleared to 4.90 m despite a minor calf injury.
  • Gesa Krause claimed the women's 3,000 m steeplechase for her third European title, Olivia Gürth won bronze, and Lea Meyer fell at the final water jump and later criticised Krause's tactics.
  • Other German outcomes included Henrik Janssen's discus bronze and Thomas Röhler's return to championship competition, while sprinter Owen Ansah reached the 200 m final but faces a proposed four‑year ban over an alleged missed or refused doping test.