Benjamin Robert got hot. Very hot. The Toulousain, who is currently participating in the world athletics championships in Eugene in the United States, qualified in extremis for the semi-finals of the 800 meters. Benjamin Robert was lined up for the second series, which took place this Thursday in the middle of the night (2:20 a.m. French time). Only the first three riders qualified directly for the next round. The Toulousain finished 4th in his race.
Benjamin Robert had to wait until the last series to find out if he was on time for the next lap. With a time of 1 minute 45 seconds and 94 hundredths, the 24-year-old athlete is finally the last qualified for the semi-finals thanks to two disqualifications.
“I was not good and we will have to show a different state of mind tomorrow”
Benjamin Robert was the sixth and final pick on time after a faster competitor was disqualified in another series. “It’s ‘pussy'”, he dropped, after having presented himself for the first time in the mixed zone, livid, thinking of being disqualified. The Toulousain then returned to his race: “I was not good and we will have to show a different state of mind tomorrow (Thursday evening). We will have to take advantage of this chance. I think there will be nothing to lose.”
The first three in each of the six heats and the next six fastest times qualified for the semi-finals scheduled for Thursday evening (at 4:00 in the night from Thursday to Friday French time). The final is scheduled for Saturday evening.
Benjamin Robert is triple French champion in the 800 meters.