The Italian media brings an incredible story, that of the Albanian athletics champion, Izmir Smajlaj, who reached the top of Europe only a few months ago, but ironically, he has no environment to train.
The gold medal in the long jump, at the European Championships in Belgrade, apparently did not serve anything, because Izmir has no opportunity to increase its sports level.
The magnificent and pompous reception in KOKSH, just a few days after the success of Belgrade, as always, was forgotten within a few weeks and the Albanian champion was forced to "emigrate" to the city-state of San Marino to train.
His story has attracted the attention of the local media, who point out that the 24-year-old has no opportunity to train in Albania for the competitions in Ancona, Istanbul and Germany, and maybe even for those in Cuba, reports Supersport.
"It's the third time I come to San Marino. Even a week before the European, I came here to train and then I managed to win the gold medal, setting the Albanian record with 8 meters and 8 centimeters", says Smajlaj for San Marino television.
In 2018, the champion from Shkodra will participate in the world indoor championships that will take place in Birmingham, but in the interview given to the Italian media, he emphasizes that the primary objective is success in the European championship in Berlin, this time in the discipline of open halls.
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Smajljaj in the European long jump finals
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Smajlaj is crowned king of European athletics in Belgrade
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Media in Serbia upset because Smajlaj made the eagle in Belgrade and showed that he is from Albania
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Smajlaj raises the Red flag in Belgrade, is declared European champion in long jump
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Smajlaj raises the Albanian flag in Belgrade, Kosovo does not participate