by Larry Eder
Apeldoorn2025: First Impressions on The European Indoor Championships!
We are staying at a DoubleTree by Hilton about 28.9 miles or 48 kilometers away from ApelDoorn. As is my way, we drive off high way everywhere, so the nearly 50k drive was one hour, five minutes from hotel to ApelDoorn Omnisport stadium.
This is the third time that the European Indoors have been held in the Netherlands. Here are five deep thoughts on my first day
and the presser;
1. Great drive, through country. Lots of farms, horses and amazing bicycle paths, off the roadways. People walk, ride, do recumbent bikes, run, and hold hands while biking next to each other. The Netherlands is a beautiful country. We drove in the country from Amsterdam Airport to the Doubletree by Hilton in Parc Soestduinen.
2. We tend to take the non-highway routes. We love the farms, the horse farms and the way the Netherlands has housing, both old, not so old and new.
3. The biggest theme-Bikes! Everywhere. The bike paths are away, many times, from the roads and it keeps them safe. Watched a couple holding hands, with bikes next to each other.
4. The presser on Wednesday was well attended by Dutch press and most of the European countries. RunBlogRun is only American media here, although we met an American who works for the Olympic channel, living in Belgium.
5. Nice interviews with Jeremiah Azu, Jessica Schilder and questions to Lieke Kalver.
6. The six athletes at presser were Lieke Klaver, the Netherlands, 400 meters, 4x400m and perhaps Mixed relay, Jessica Schindler, the Netherlands, two time European shot put (outdoor ) champion, who wants to do well in Apeldoorn, Douwe Amels, the Netherlands, two time European indoor HJ gold medalist, would love to win in front of home country, Jason Josesph, Swiss high hurdle star, Jeremiah Azu, GBR, British 60 meter champion, and Larissa Iapichino, Italy, silver medalist, European Champs, LJ, whose mother won two Olympic silvers, two World Champ golds for Italy!
7. Lieke Klaver told us that “ I like alot of races. I am hoping to be picked for all three events. I get better after a couple of 400 meters.” She is extremely confident.
8. Jason Joseph was asked who he looked up to, he noted “ Omar McLeod is who I look up to.”
9. Jeremiah Azu was born in Rotterdam, and moved to Cardiff when he was 3. He spoke fluent Dutch to the media, and they loved it.
10. Larissa Iaphichino has a famous mother and well regarded father is her coach. A true talent, she says that her mother and father encourage her in her journey. She could win it all.
11. All in all, a super presser, with athletes who know that more stories builds their sport. Peter Sanderson, EA Media Comms director, did a strong jump on the emcee front, asking engaging questions and giving the media a chance to speak with the athletes.
