European Indoors a big step forward to Almgren

When Andreas Almgren's coach Urban Aruhn now - a couple of weeks after the European Indoor Championships - sums up his impressions from the championship in the Netherlands, he looks positively at Andreas' performance, even though Andreas Almgren himself was disappointed that he missed out on the bronze medal by a margin of 0.18 seconds.

-      The 3,000 m final was a huge step forward for Andreas, says Urban Aruhn. He did everything right.

-      He had 2.50 in the last 1,200 meters, which means a 3.33 pace for 1,500 m.

Andreas Almgren's one-year-old Swedish outdoor record is 3.32. To now be able to finish a 3,000 m race at the same pace on a difficult indoor track is impressive.

-      Andreas is faster than last year, notes Aruhn.

Now the outdoor season awaits and it's all about longer distances, which benefits the new Swedish running star. Almgren's main distance is 10,000 m, and he aims to run both 5,000 m and 10,000 m at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

Then it won't be a question of sprinting against equally fast runners in the 10,000 m as it was sprinting against some of the world's best 1,500 m runners in the 3,000 m final at the European Indoor Championships.

Andreas Almgren's very interesting debut race this summer will be at BAUHAUS-galan at Stockholm Olympic Stadium on June 15. He will run 5,000 m, a distance where he set a Swedish record last year with 12.50.94.

–      I think he is five seconds better than last year, says Urban Aruhn.

–      Competing in Stockholm is special for Andreas.

–      If the weather is good and the pace is right, the audience will be treated to a fantastic show.

If Andreas Almgren manages to achieve a time close to, or perhaps below, the Swedish record, he will also meet the international qualifying time of 13.01 for the 5,000 m for this autumn's World Championships.

Text: Anders Olsson