Rio de Janeiro: Germany’s Christoph Harting saved his best for last to win gold in the men’s discus yesterday to carry on a proud family tradition. Harting, whose brother and defending Olympic champion Robert failed to qualify for the finals after sustaining a strained back, managed a personal best of 68.37 metres on his sixth and final attempt.
Poland’s Piotr Malachowski took silver with 67.55m and Harting’s teammate Daniel Jasinski bronze (67.05). But Harting was reticent to answer any questions about his brother or offer any deep insight on his Olympic experience.
And the gold medallist’s press conference came to an abrupt end when a journalist made the gaffe of addressing a question to Robert Harding. “Holy Jesus! Holy Jesus! That’s it, you can leave,” Robert’s little brother stormed.
Before he walked out he had told his audience: “I’m so happy to be here but would be happy to make a short statement. I don’t like answering questions. I’m an athlete not a PR man at all. I enjoy the stadium, it’s my stage. Everything else I leave to other people.”
When asked about his final winning throw, Harting said: “You have moments in your life when you focus completely. I said to myself that no one’s going to take that victory away from me.” Malachowski, the three-time world champion, congratulated Harting, saying: “It was a great day for Christoph, he did a good job. But I didn’t lose to him but myself because I didn’t throw as well as I should have done.”
Harting admitted that in his excitement he had dropped the boxed momento handed to him as he received his gold medal. “Unfortunately it broke but I got a new one. I couldnt’ stand still,” he deadpanned, pulling out and fingering the new souvenir of the Rio Games.
But he added: “I’m an introverted guy.  I feel like I’m so much put on the spot (before media) and I feel embarassed. I don’t have to produce a show. I’m the Olympic champion and now I want to celebrate with my family and friends.”