Felix Streng jogs easily across the finish line in the Stade de France. The gap to gold medalist Sherman Guity from Costa Rica is too big to catch up. The para-sprinter has already secured second place, with an even bigger gap to the Dutchman behind him. Shortly after the finish line he stops and looks up at the scoreboard. Then the shock – just a short time after crossing the finish line, the German runner is disqualified. Streng throws his hands up in the air – sheer disbelief.
It is extremely frustrating. This should not happen to me as an athlete
Felix Streng on his disqualification
He had previously entered the final on Saturday evening with the second fastest time in the preliminary rounds. In addition to the German sprinter, two other competitors were in the running for the gold medal: the Italian Maxcel Amo Manu and the Costa Rican Sherman Guity. But the Italian fell in the preliminary round and did not qualify for the final. So: Strictly against Guity.
Streng, who is training in London, gets off to a good start in the final. He and Guity quickly pull away from the competition and pull away. At the same time, however, the sprinter from Costa Rica starts to leave Streng behind. The final runners turn onto the home straight – Streng stays well behind his competitor and crosses the finish line almost comfortably. A silver medal – not what Streng had hoped for, but at least it’s something.
As a sprinter you start with the goal of winning the race
Felix Streng about his goals in Paris.
Dream of gold is over – and more
Born in La Paz, Bolivia, without a right foot and part of the lower shinbone, Streng grew up in a small town in Bavaria. He left to complete his sports high school diploma at Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s elite sports boarding school. He won his first Paralympic gold in Rio in 2016.
A new chapter begins for him in 2020. The then 25-year-old moves to London and joins a sprint group led by coach Steve Fudge to take his sporting career to a new level – and with complete success. In Tokyo 2021, he wins the long-awaited gold medal in the 100 meters. He feels comfortable in his training group and can confirm his exceptional performances again and again.
He wanted to win gold again in Paris. He came in second, but thought he had secured silver. But things turned out differently: in the curve, the 29-year-old apparently crossed the inside line of his lane several times. He was disqualified. The decision is final. And with it the missed opportunity for a medal. He would not have been completely satisfied either way.
Nevertheless, I proved that I arrived at my third Paralympic Games at world-class level.
Felix Streng on his performance in Paris.
However, he uses the disappointment as motivation to attack again. He is absolutely competitive and would have easily won silver. “I’m looking forward to the next few years,” says Streng, grateful for the great atmosphere in Paris.
