Stefan Holm has been a World champion high jumper for three and a half years, but ‘only’ indoors. Outdoors, he has been the ‘nearly’ man for four years. In Sydney he nearly won a medal, finishing fourth; two years ago he nearly won the European championship, but could only get a silver; and last year he was nearly World outdoor champion, but finished second to Jacques Freitag.
With Freitag out of the competition, and given Holm’s impeccable record this year – 17 wins out of 17 – he was an overwhleming favourite for this final. But on a night when favourite’s foundered, and in a competition constantly interrupted by wheelchair races and the quiet called for the start of the men’s 100 semis, Holm nearly blew it.
But he didn’t. Holm’s first time clearance at 2.36, equalling his personal best, brought Sweden’s first ever Olympic High Jump gold to go alongside the silvers won by the great Patrik Sjoberg in 1984 and 1992. USA’s Matt Hemmingway jumped a season’s best 2.34 to take the silver, while Jaroslav Baba equalled his personal best at the same height for the bronze.
The rhythmic chanting started as soon as Holm came out for his first attempt, no doubt prompted by the large, colourful Swedish contingent back in the Olympic stadium for more joyful celebrations following the success of their heroine, Caroline Kluft, last night.
Holm prepared for each attempt with his usual nervous yet meticulous twitches – tugging both straps of his vest, smoothing his hand across his face and upwards through imaginary hair, tracing the outline of his short cropped skull. He started well enough, with three straight clears 2.20, 2.25 and 2.29. But then began to look shaky, failing once at 2.32 and twice at 2.34.
After 2.32 four men were already out, and only Hemmingway and Ukraine’s Andriy Sokolovskiy had no failures. The American had passed at 2.29, and cleared 2.32, a season’s best by two centimetres.
The Cuban Lisvany Perez had gone out at 2.29, and at the end of the round three more were out, including 1999 World champion Vyacheslav Voronin of Russia, World bronze medallist Mark Boswell of Canada, and Italy’s Alessandro Talotti.
Svatoslav Ton and Baba took gambles and passed on to 2.34. For Ton it was a gamble too far, but Baba arched over, equalling his personal best, set this year.
Hemmingway again looked impressive, his bleach blond hair held back by a black headband as he arched over 2.34 with ease. Holm, jumping next, had another fail and seemed to lack the assurance he’s shown in previous cometitions this year. He failed again on his second try too.
Baba, who passed at 2.32 after two fails, went clear. USA’s Jamie Nieto took two attempts but then cleared to join his compatriot in a medal position. Dragutin Topic (SCG) went out, as did Russia’s Yaroslav Rybakov and Sokolovskiy.
Holm was staring at failure and needed something special to stay in the competition. He found it. At last he had the rhythm he has been showing all year. He sailed clear.
There were four left as the bar went to 2.36 – a height only Holm has jumped this year. Hemmingway, his run-up passing between the barriers set up for the women’s 400m hurdles, had his first fail of the night. Now, Holm had his chance. He knelt at the side of the track as the first semi went by. Then composed himself. As he flew towards the bar his heels touched it, but he flicked them up behind him, and over.
Nieto failed, attempting three centimetres higher than he’s ever cleared before. Baba couldn’t raise himself either – his best stands at 2.34. Hemmingway’s second effort was poor. Nieto and Baba tried to stir the crowd but they were more interested in the Greek 400m hurdler, Fani Halkia and her incredible Olympic record.
After the uproar, Hemmingway resumed, but failed. He was out. Holm sat with head in his hands, barely able to look. Nieto clipped the bar. It wobbled and fell. Only Baba could deny the Swede. By now Holm was on his knees. But Baba wasn’t even close, and as the bar came down Holm raced into the crowd to embrace his coach.
A nearly-man no longer.
MB
