Eugene. Jeff Whiteman is the speaker at Hayward Field during the World Cup.
And today he commented sharply and precisely on the true magnificence of the men’s 1500m race.
Winner: son Jake.
Jeff Whiteman used to be a speaker at major events. He’s been there at two Olympics and all the World Cups since 2015. He’s even used to commenting when his son Jake runs, he’s been doing it since school.
But when his son and expert went and won the World Cup by sprinting favorite Jakob Ingbrigtsen in the last 200 metres, many at Hayward Field wondered how the father and coach could keep calm.
“Know how hard it works”
– When the atmosphere here and the atmosphere dominates the stadium, our job is over. Then you can bark like a dog in the background, and you don’t even have to say anything special, he explains to Sportbladet.
After completion, he stated succinctly in the speakers:
Jake Whiteman has just gone through his life path.
He went down to the mixed zone after the race and gave his son a sincere hug – before climbing up again, he took a deep breath and pointed to the medal handout as his son took home the gold at the World Cup.
– I know how hard it is. He started athletics early even though his mum Susan and I were running (both elite marathon runners). But he was young and was very late in the competitions and then won the European Junior Championships and from there he took off.
Jakob Ingbrigtsen admitted he was taken to bed because of the offensive run.
And the last thing Jeff Whiteman said as father and coach is to dare:
– You said that you can run to safety, and continue to get bronze safely, which you never did before. But how often are you at your best in the World Cup? If you don’t take the risk now, you will regret it. I’m glad he’s so brave. It has always been.
I love to hear dad
With this victory, Jack Whiteman became the first European to win the 1500m at the World Championships since Steve Cram did it in 1983. When he finished, he looked like he was shocked.
– It will take a long time before this sinks in. This really seems to show what I’m capable of. This is madness.
It means having a father with you throughout the race.
– I’ve been dreaming about this since I was eight years old. Having my mom in the stands and my dad commenting on the race in the stadium, what more could I ask for? I loved running in the lap of honor here, listening to my father in the commentator’s cabin and seeing my mother. I just want to share this moment with them, says Jake Whiteman.
