Dominic Lobalu and Mohamed Attaoui claim Olympic Diplomas on Last Night of Athletics Competitions
Dominic Lobalu came within striking distance of the medals in the 5000m race, while Mohamed Attaoui finished a strong fifth in the 800m final.
PARIS, France, August 10, 2024 - On an electrifying final night of athletics at the Stade de France, Dominic Lobalu and Mohamed Attaoui delivered standout performances that earned them Olympic diplomas in the men's 5000m and 800m finals, respectively.
In a thrilling men’s 5000m, Dominic Lobalu came agonizingly close to the podium, finishing just 0.14 seconds shy of the bronze medal. The 26-year-old, who had a dramatic path to the final after being involved in a fall during the heats and later advancing by the referee’s decision, ran a tactically astute race. Lobalu stayed with the front pack for the first two kilometers, later settling into tenth position by the 4000m mark. In the final lap, he unleashed his signature kick, surging forward alongside Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet and Biniam Mehary. However, American Grant Fisher’s late charge edged Lobalu out, leaving him in fourth place. The gold and silver medals were claimed by Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Ronald Kwemoi, respectively.
“Dominic ran an incredible race, finishing fourth, just a tenth of a second from the medals. His final lap was a testament to his grit and determination as he overtook multiple competitors. What an effort! We’re incredibly proud of him,” commented On Athlete Manager Niklas Bühner.
In the men’s 800m, 22-year-old Mohamed Attaoui continued his impressive form, finishing fifth in a remarkably fast race. Already a success story this season with a silver medal at the European Championships in Rome, Attaoui showcased his strategic racing once again in Paris. Positioned towards the back of the field early on, he conserved energy and kept pace with the blistering speed of the competition. By the 400m mark, he was in sixth place, but his calculated approach allowed him to improve to fifth, clocking an outstanding 1:42.08.
"Yesterday’s race was incredible, close to the World Record, and I was there fighting with the best athletes in the world until the end. I have been dreaming of this for many years. In the short time since I started with the On Athletic Club Europe, I have already improved in so many aspects and that’s what brought me here! This makes me very happy and eager to continue the work, improve year after year, and achieve big things."
“We’re thrilled for Moha. Finishing fifth in such a historic final, and in a personal best time, is a huge achievement. His journey from joining OAC Europe last year as a raw talent to now competing at the highest level is incredible. Moha has had a phenomenal season, with a European silver, breaking multiple Spanish records, and now a top-5 Olympic finish. At just 22, the future is incredibly bright for him,” said Bühner.
In the women's 1500m final, French local favorite Agathe Guillemot concluded her Olympic campaign with a ninth-place finish, marking a respectable end to a highly competitive field.
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
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