"There's always an inner voice constantly criticizing me" - Marcell Jacobs on hard-earned qualification for 100m final at Paris Olympics
Marcell Jacobs reflected on the hard-worn qualification in the men's 100m final event at the Paris Olympics. Jacobs settled in fifth place after Noah Lyes, Kishane Thompson, Fred Kerley, and Akani Simbine took up the first four spots respectively.
The Italian sprinter was lined alongside Kenny Bednarek, Simbine, and Tebogo in the second round of the semifinal. Jacobs settled in third place after posting his season-best time of 9.92 seconds, following Simbine and Tebogo, missing the direct qualification.
After navigating a few challenging minutes till the third round of the semifinal, he was confirmed of a spot for the ultimate showdown, finishing in seventh place behind Tebogo's 9.92 seconds. Reflecting on those whirlwind few minutes during episode three of Netflix's docuseries Sprint's season two, Jacobs highlighted his habit of being harshly critical of himself.
However, he also stated his belief in having multiple opportunities ahead and stated that the race was not his final chance to succeed or improve.
"There's always an inner voice constantly criticizing me," Jacobs said. "I always think others are better than me in everything they do. But I believe that this is not my last chance."
In the showdown event, he finished in fifth place after clocking a time of 9.85 seconds, setting another season's best time.
"Only medal missing from my collection" - Marcell Jacobs fixes his sight on World Championships gold medal
After cinching a gold medal in the 100m event at the Olympics, European Championships, and World Indoor Championships, Marcell Jacobs now aims to bag the title at the World Athletics Championships in the coming season.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships are scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan, where the Italian sprinter secured the title four years back during the Olympic Games. He recorded a stunning time of 9.80 seconds to defeat Fred Kerley and Andre De Grasse, who posted 9.84 and 9.89 seconds, respectively.
Reflecting on the victory, he stated that the Tokyo Stadium was special as it was his first Olympic medal. He exuded confidence in securing the missing World Championship medal at the same place. (via World Athletics).
"The Tokyo stadium is special to me and it's the only medal missing from my collection," Jacobs conveyed.
Marcell Jacobs secured the gold medal in 60m at the 2022 World Indoor Championships and has secured the 100m title at the European Championships in 2022 and 2024.