Jacobs' bid for third European 100m title ends in adductor injury at Birmingham final

The injury

Marcell Jacobs entered the 100m final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on 11 August as the favourite, having dominated his semifinal in 10.08 seconds earlier that evening. The 31-year-old Italian, Olympic champion at Tokyo 2021 and twice European champion (Munich 2022, Rome 2024), was chasing a third consecutive continental title, a feat achieved only by Soviet Valeriy Borzov and Briton Linford Christie. During warmup before the final, while testing the starting blocks, Jacobs felt sharp pain in his left adductor, the same problem that had forced him to skip the Diamond League meeting in Monte Carlo in July.

He took his place in the blocks anyway. After about 40 metres, the adductor gave way completely. Jacobs slowed abruptly and jogged the remainder, crossing the line seventh in 12.26 seconds. Britain's Romell Glave won gold in 10.09, with compatriot Azu taking silver and Germany's Owen Ansah bronze. Belgian Simon Verherstraeten, also injured, finished behind Jacobs.

Jacobs' reaction

Speaking to Italian media after the race, Jacobs expressed frustration at the timing of the injury, which came after a semifinal he had controlled completely.

“That final, unfortunately, I wasn't even able to run. An injury before the start stopped me, once again. It hurts. A lot. Especially when you know you're there, you're well, and you can fight to win.”

He told Rai Sport he had been ready to push through anything.

“I got on the blocks, I was ready to break everything for this race. It's part of the game, I'm not someone who gives up and despairs.”

Jacobs said an ultrasound examination would determine the severity of the injury, and that his participation in the 4x100 metre relay on Saturday 15 August was in serious doubt. He had skipped the indoor season specifically to target this championship and had set aside thoughts of retirement.

A season of promise before the setback

The injury cut short what had been Jacobs' strongest season since his Olympic triumph. After reuniting with coach Paolo Camossi, he ran 10.01 in Savona on 20 May, 9.99 at the Golden Gala in Rome, and 9.96 in Paris on 28 June. On 1 July in Eisenstadt, Austria, he clocked 9.84 and 9.67 in two closely spaced races, both wind-assisted, the latter the third-fastest time in history. The only warning sign had been a minor muscle fatigue on 8 July that caused him to skip Monte Carlo, before he returned to dominate the Italian national championships in Florence.

Savona, 20 May10.01

Golden Gala, 4 Jun9.99

Paris, 28 Jun9.96

Eisenstadt I, 1 Jul9.84

Eisenstadt II, 1 Jul9.67

Birmingham SF, 11 Aug10.08

Birmingham Final, 11 Aug12.26

Savona, 20 May

10.01 s

Golden Gala, 4 Jun

9.99 s

Paris, 28 Jun

9.96 s

Eisenstadt I, 1 Jul

9.84 s

Eisenstadt II, 1 Jul

9.67 s

Birmingham SF, 11 Aug

10.08 s

Birmingham Final, 11 Aug

12.26 s

Data from the article text

Wider Italian concerns

The Italian team faces broader problems ahead of the relay. Chituru Ali, who finished sixth in the final in 10.34, collapsed after the finish line clutching the back of his left thigh. His participation in Birmingham had already been in doubt due to fitness concerns during the season. With only three days of recovery before the relay on 15 August, the availability of both Jacobs and Ali is uncertain. The Italian quartet won relay gold at the 2024 European Championships in Rome in 37.82 seconds.

Elsewhere on the second day of competition in Birmingham, Nadia Battocletti won gold in the 5000 metres in 15:37.84, with Micol Majori taking bronze for an Italian double. Eloisa Coiro set a new Italian record of 1:57.56 in the 800 metres heats, breaking Gabriella Dorio's mark that had stood since 5 July 1980. Four Italians, including reigning champion Gianmarco Tamberi, qualified for the high jump final, a first for Italy at a European championship.