Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis comfortably qualified for the pole vault final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Friday.
The Greek Olympic medalist, popular among fans under his nickname Manolo, opted to pass on the opening heights of 5.25 metres and 5.40 metres during the preliminary round. Karalis entered the competition directly at 5.60 metres and cleared the bar on his first attempt without difficulty to secure his spot in Sunday's final.
Following his successful qualification, Karalis spoke to reporters from Greek national broadcaster ERT and took the opportunity to light-heartedly tease his teammate, long jumper Miltos Tentoglou. The joke referenced a widely shared incident in which Tentoglou accidentally left his medal behind after a victory.
Karalis joked that unlike Tentoglou, he would make sure to bring his medal to the track if he reaches the podium. He said he would bring the medal and share the moment with the entire stadium, describing the tournament as a celebration of athletics where every competitor should enjoy the sport.
Fan interactions and inspiration
Before reaching the interview area, Karalis spent considerable time along the sidelines signing autographs and greeting spectators who had gathered in the stands. The athlete said interacting with young supporters remains one of the most rewarding aspects of competing at international events.
He recalled watching major athletics events as a child and admiring the world's top competitors. Karalis said it felt incredible to have grown into an elite athlete who can now share that same joy with a new generation of fans. He added that he enjoys sharing affection with supporters because he receives immense warmth and encouragement from them in return.
Karalis confirmed that he feels physically healthy and in strong mental shape heading into the decisive stage of the tournament. He noted that his primary focus remains on executing his plan as prepared with his coaching staff.
Weather challenges and final expectations
Addressing the performance conditions in Birmingham, Karalis explained that the weather during the qualification session was far from ideal. He noted that strong wind gusts created challenging circumstances for field events across the stadium.
Karalis mentioned that fellow Greek team members Tentoglou and veteran pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi had both highlighted the difficult weather conditions following their respective events. Wind stability is particularly critical in pole vaulting, where sudden shifts can alter an athlete's run-up speed and pole plant precision.
Looking ahead to Sunday's final, Karalis expressed optimism that weather conditions will settle and wind levels will drop. He said he hopes to deliver the specific jump he has been preparing in training, while promising to give his absolute best effort regardless of the environmental conditions.
