"I've been wrong, it's been a long time since I've been wrong, I don't know why".

Tina Šutej, Slovenian high jump record holder, suffered a disappointing performance during the European Championships in Birmingham, failing to qualify for the final despite having a low automatic qualification standard of 4.55 meters. She was eliminated after struggling with heights starting at 4.10 meters, encountering difficulties even at 4.25 meters. In her first attempt at 4.40 meters, she cleared the bar successfully, but failed to clear it again in her second try. She attempted 4.50 meters three times without success before being pushed out of the top 12 by a Swedish competitor with a personal best. Šutej expressed frustration and disbelief after her poor showing, stating, “That wasn’t my day. I don’t know when I’ve been this bad. I should have cleared 4.50 meters under any conditions.” Her tone was somber and emotional, reflecting her disappointment with her performance. She admitted she did not expect such a result and felt she had not earned a place in the final. “I clearly wasn’t right, as I haven’t felt this way for a long time. I don’t even know why,” she added, expressing confusion over her lack of form. The competition in Birmingham saw several other Slovenian athletes also struggle. Anej Čurin Prapotnik, competing in the 100-meter sprint, finished 11th overall with a time of 10.36 seconds, while Rok Ferlan, competing in the 400 meters, placed 22nd with a time of 46.09 seconds. Both were eliminated in the first round of their respective events, adding to the team’s woes. The Slovenian delegation faced challenges across multiple disciplines, with only one athlete managing to advance further than the initial rounds. In contrast, the men's 100-meter race saw a dominant display from Romell Glave, who won gold with a time of 10.09 seconds despite strong winds. His victory was expected given his consistent performances, though he maintained that he could have won earlier in the race. Meanwhile, Marcell Jacobs, another Italian sprinter, withdrew from the competition due to an injury sustained during his run, leaving fans disappointed as he had been considered a strong contender. Šutej’s performance marked a rare setback for Slovenia’s track and field program, which has historically produced notable athletes in both men’s and women’s events. While she remains a national record holder, her failure to reach the final highlights the unpredictable nature of athletic competition. Despite the loss, she remains optimistic about future opportunities, noting that she will take two days off to rest before participating in additional competitions later in the season. Her comments suggest a mix of self-criticism and uncertainty about her current form. “I’ll go home without a medal,” she said, acknowledging the gap between her expectations and reality. However, she also hinted at resilience, stating she would return to training and continue competing. This mindset reflects the typical approach of elite athletes facing setbacks, acknowledging the difficulty but remaining committed to improvement. As the championships progress, attention will shift to other competitors, but Šutej’s experience serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in maintaining peak performance at the highest level.