Alexandre Dällenbach faced challenges in the final of the modern pentathlon at the Olympics due to his shortcomings in shooting. The athlete from Valais finished in 14th place after starting in 2nd position before the final event. The dream that Dällenbach had been living since Thursday did not continue as he had hoped. However, his 14th place finish was in line with expectations and does not diminish his accomplishments. Thanks to Dällenbach, the spotlight was able to shine on this ancient discipline.
Out of the 18 finalists, Dällenbach had to place in the top 9 in each semi-final to advance to the ultimate day. While he excelled in fencing and horseback riding (with one error), and posted an impressive time in the 200m swimming event (2nd fastest at 1’57”64), he struggled during the shooting phase and was not very strong in the running portion of the event.
“I gave it my all and didn’t let myself get discouraged after the first missed shot. It’s a bit sad that it wasn’t a lack of strength that held me back,” Dällenbach said.
The favorite, Egyptian Ahmed Elgendy, took first place, followed by Japanese Taishu Sato and Italian Giorgio Malan. Despite not achieving the outcome he had hoped for, Dällenbach’s determination and effort throughout the competition are commendable.
In other news, Anna Jurt has advanced to the finals in a separate event, showcasing the talent and dedication of Swiss athletes on the international stage. The journey of athletes like Dällenbach and Jurt serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and highlights the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.
