“He’s simply very good.” With these words and an impressive slow-motion video, the European Athletics Federation pays tribute to Miltos Tentoglou following his latest historic achievement at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.
The Greek champion, with a jump of 8.44 m on his fourth attempt, won the fourth gold medal of his career at a European Championship in the long jump, writing yet another golden page in the history of Greek sport.
After Berlin in 2018, Munich in 2022 and Rome in 2024, the “golden” Olympic champion of Paris once again rose to the top of Europe, this time in Birmingham.
At the same time, Miltiadis Tentoglou became the first athlete in the history of the European Championships to win four gold medals in the long jump, surpassing Igor Ter-Ovanesyan, who had been crowned European champion three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1969.
Tentoglou also became the 27th male or female athlete in the history of the competition to reach four gold medals, once again confirming his place among the greatest figures in European athletics.
Despite the headwind, Miltiadis Tentoglou… had a date with History on Tuesday evening (August 11).
After jumping 8.27 in his first attempt, 8.19 in his second and 8.27 again in his third… the encouragement from his coach, Giorgos Pomaski, who shouted “you can do it!” paid off. On his fourth attempt, Miltiadis Tentoglou launched himself into the air to take the lead with 8.44, after Swiss athlete Simon Ehammer had temporarily overtaken him with his second jump, which measured 8.29.
“One of the most difficult finals I’ve ever competed in. You simply couldn’t produce a big mark. It showed with the other athletes too, because we are all capable of jumping over 8.40–8.50 meters,” the great Greek athlete said.
Earlier, in another post, the European Athletics Federation had once again praised Miltiadis Tentoglou, this time employing a clever play on words.
“FOUR-MIDABLE,” it wrote, combining “four” with “formidable,” referring to the Greek champion’s four European gold medals in the long jump.
The Medal Ceremony and the National Anthem
The great moment concluded with the medal ceremony. Miltiadis Tentoglou stepped onto the top step of the podium to receive his gold medal, once again having the Greek flag flying at the top of Europe.
The playing of the Greek National Anthem followed, in honor of the Greek champion, creating yet another special moment for Greek athletics. Joining him on the podium were runner-up Simon Ehammer and third-place finisher Bozhidar Saraboyukov.
In the customary photograph of the three medalists, Tentoglou once again put his own stamp on the moment.
Smiling, he stuck his tongue out at the camera, adding yet another characteristic image to a night that belonged to him.
Earlier, He Had… Forgotten the Medal
Tentoglou, however, had already managed to steal the show even before the medal ceremony.
After the final, while giving interviews and discussing how the competition had unfolded, he was asked about the medal the organizers had given the athletes. That was when he realized that… he had forgotten it. His reaction was spontaneous and hilarious.
“They gave it to us, but I left it there. I screwed up—I took it off and left it there,” Tentoglou said as soon as he realized what had happened.
He immediately left to look for the medal he had left behind, providing yet another delightful moment following his latest major success.
A Hero’s Welcome at the National Team Hotel
The adulation, however, did not end at the stadium. When Miltiadis Tentoglou returned to the hotel where the Greek national athletics team was staying in Birmingham, he was greeted with an exceptionally warm welcome by the rest of the Greek delegation.
Applause, hugs and kisses set the scene, as fellow athletes, coaches and members of the national team welcomed him back and congratulated him on his latest triumph.
Widespread Praise on Social Media
Tentoglou’s historic achievement also sparked a wave of admiration on social media, which was flooded with congratulatory messages and comments about the Greek champion.
Many people in Greece, as well as abroad, praised Greece’s leading long jumper, both for his latest historic accomplishment and for the longevity and consistency with which he has remained at the top.
Congratulatory messages also came from the political world, as well as from figures in sport, with Tentoglou’s name once again dominating the headlines after another major international success.
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