During the qualifying round, Frenchman Bassa Mawem tore his biceps tendon. The consequences of this for tomorrow's final have not yet been officially communicated. But it is becoming apparent: Adam Ondra is likely to become a great profiteer.
The speed climbing competition of the final in the combined format takes place in knockout mode and is divided into quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. Two athletes compete against each other. The loser of the direct duel is thrown out.
Adam Ondra took 18th place in yesterday's speed qualification, Bassa Mawem, on the other hand, 1st place Mawem/Ondra come (first against last). Adam Ondra, not a fan of speed, would have no chance against speed specialist Mawem under normal circumstances.
But now it looks like Ondra will automatically survive the first lap. Because the regulations do not provide for an injured or sick athlete to be replaced. The final would be held with only seven athletes.
Automatically rank 4 for Ondra?
The IFSC has not yet received an official waiver from Bassa Mawem. Due to the serious injury of Bassa Mawem, it must be assumed that he will not compete in the final (his arm should be operated on on Tuesday, LACRUX reported). While it was initially speculated, Alexander Megos. could move up in the event of Bassa Mawem's resignation, it is now clear: The starting place in the final would remain vacant in the event of Bassa Mawem's elimination.
Ondra, not a fan of speed, would not have a chance against speed specialist Mawem under normal circumstances.
A speed final with only seven athletes would have to mean, because of the knockout mode, that Adam Ondra has the fourth place safely. Why?
Here is the explanation:
Let's assume that Bassa Mawem will not compete in the final of the combined format. Since the place remains free, his opponent Adam Ondra wins the first round in the speed final without any action and makes the jump to the semifinals.
There he meets the winner of run 2, so Colin Duffy or Alberto Gines Lopez. Even if Adam Ondra loses the knockout duel against his opponent in the semifinals, he occupies fourth place in the speed discipline (see diagram below). But Duffy and Gines Lopez would also benefit from the situation. Because in the semifinals they will face Adam Ondra instead of Bassa Mawem. Both Duffy and Gines Lopez are faster than Ondra, but not than Bassa Mawem - the Frenchman set the Olympic record yesterday with 5.45 seconds.
Adam Ondra automatically comes fourth in speed climbing
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Credits: Cover picture Petr Chodura