Stefan Küng didn't want to hear the word diploma before Paris after finishing 4th in Tokyo 2021. Now he is equally proud of his two 2024 Olympic diplomas.
In Tokyo, luck of the seconds was not on the Thurgau native's side. Four tenths short of a medal. In Paris, Hygieia, the goddess of health, did not mean well for the 30-year-old. Küng had to endure gastrointestinal complaints for a week.
"Two or three days are not enough to replenish my stores," said the rider from eastern Switzerland after finishing 7th in Saturday's road race. He was therefore one place higher than in his special discipline of the time trial at the start of the Games, when he was also not at full strength.
"I am nevertheless proud," said Küng, taking stock. "After this difficult time, I can also see the positives. I was in the right place throughout the race." But he could only push as hard as he could. "If you have nothing left in the tank, then nothing will come."
Could have, would have, bike chain
Of course, there was also a bit of melancholy. Küng had to end training early on Wednesday because he didn't feel fit. And he had already been ill twice in the previous month and a half. A few more days to recover and the Swiss rider might have been fit enough to really get into the fight for the medals in this race. "Could have, would have, bike chain," was his only comment on this speculation. "But yes, today's race shows: If the pendulum ever swings to the right side, then another medal is in the cards. I was hoping to be in top form in Paris. But you don't have all the factors in your own hands."
Küng's diploma from Tokyo is lying around somewhere in his office, he had said beforehand. "You don't hang something like that on the wall. Especially not when it says 4th place." After two Olympic Games with a total of three diplomas, the awards with the five rings may one day be given a worthy place after all. But now the focus is on the home World Championships in Zurich. He doesn't even have to wait two months for his next chance to win a medal.
Hirschi blocked at the back of the field
Marc Hirschi, the actual Swiss number 1 in the road race, did not make much of an appearance. There was no opportunity for the Bernese rider either. "When Remco (Evenepoel) attacked to catch up with the group with Stefan (Küng), everyone saw it, everyone expected it, but no one could follow. When he was gone, the 'whistle' was blown in the peloton." Evenepoel's colleagues blocked at the back.
