Christiansen broke the European record, but was defeated: Kjipt! – VG

The Norwegian swam 800 meters free on the short course almost four seconds faster than before. But the Ukrainian Mykhailo Romantsjuk was five hundredths faster, and therefore, the one who takes the European record.

The 800-meter freestyle is not part of the International Swimming League program, but the best in the world were specially invited to this weekend’s final in Budapest.

– You can be proud of this. Henrik has handled the crown period in an impressive way. This race shows that he will fight for Olympic gold, says national team coach Petter Løvberg.

But Henrik Christiansen isn’t quite in that mode when VG talks to him on Saturday night.

– In a way it is a superior race, but on the other hand this is bitter, it says about losing for poor five hundredths.

And the 24-year-old is clear where it could have led when VG says “you finished incredibly strong”:

– Yes, that’s true. But I wasn’t offensive enough in the opening. I think I could have opened up faster and swim just as fast at the end. That is why it is difficult to lose.

– But is it strong against the Olympics?

– Yes, it’s very good considering the Olympics.

– Is Petter Løvberg sure you will fight for gold there?

– It can be quick!

In fact, this is the only “proper” Christiansen convention in 2020. Everything else has been canceled or postponed, including the Tokyo Olympics.

– He’s in Budapest without any of us coaches and leaders. He has to fix everything himself because of the crown. And it is impressive that in such a short time he managed to prepare himself to swim so fast, says Petter Løvberg.

– Almost managed to beat the Ukrainian the last 50 meters. He had the hardest ending of all, continues the coach of the national team, who, unlike the student, does not stop at the fact that the opening was not so good.

Henrik Christiansen with 7.25.78, was 3.39 seconds better than Yannick Agnel’s European record of 2012. The world record of Australian Grant Hackett is 7.23.42. It was released in 2008.

also read

Lose weight? This is the workout that burns the most

The best swimmer can talk about very special conditions in Budapest these days:

– We live in a “bubble”. It is very strict. We are completely isolated and locked inside. We are “aired” for an hour every day. And a crown test is done every five days. We use masks and a lot of alcohol. There have been no positive tests.

– Actually, the swimmers are very grateful that they have managed to carry out this event.

– Is it the special distance of 800 meters now?

– Yes! I will probably swim 800 and 1500 meters at the Olympics. We haven’t made up our minds when it comes to 400 meters. In the last Olympics I swam 200 meters. I definitely won’t do that this time.