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German Pulls No Punches With Criticism Of English Athletics Meeting

German Pulls No Punches With Criticism Of English Athletics Meeting
PJ Browne
By PJ Browne
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Johannes Vetter was highly critical of the Gateshead International Stadium track and the competition organisers following Tuesday evening's Diamond League meeting in the north east of England.

The German won the javelin competition - throwing 85.25m - but that was more than 10m short of his season's best.

"What a shit competition..." the 2017 world champion wrote on Instagram.

"I am not someone that is usually looking for excuses, but I am truly disappointed in today’s conditions and organization. It started with a super slippery track, apparently the organizer doesn’t care about the increased risk of injury, followed by a ridiculous waiting period before our last attempt just to please the TV broadcast."

Tagging the Diamond League Athletics Instagram account, Vetter added: "YOU expect professional and exceptional performances and results but fail to offer the appropriate conditions, embarrassing!

"Well, at least I secured the win. Maybe the [prize] money would be better invested in a new track. Only with an appropriate track I will reconsider whether to come back or not."

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Johannes Vetter criticises Gateshead track

Immediately following the competition, Vetter had called the conditions "unprofessional".

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"I was throwing the first five throws about six or seven metres before the line and the last one was all in which was the 85m," he added.

"I'm back in Germany before Tokyo and I want to throw 90m again.

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"The world record is possible in Tokyo. You can't plan throws though and if it happens it happens.

"The first goal is staying healthy, getting the gold medal and then I think about the world record."

In late May, Vetter threw 96.29m at a meeting in Poland. It was the third furtherest javelin throw ever. Only his own personal best of 97.76m - set last September - and Jan Zelezný's 25-year-old world record of 98.48m rank higher on the all-time list.

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The 28-year-old heads to the Olympics as strong favourite for the men's javelin gold. His season's best is nearly seven metres better than the next best this year, the Pole Marcin Krukowski.

See Also: Corkman Slams 'Farcical' Decision That Hurt Euros Medal Hopes

johannes vetter javelin gateshead diamond league

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