Marcell Jacobs Blazes to Wind-Assisted 9.67 at Austrian Open, Sends Strong Message Ahead of Championship Season
Italy’s Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs delivered a stunning performance at the Austrian Open in Eisenstadt, clocking a sensational wind-assisted 9.67 seconds to win the men’s 100m title. Although the time will not be recognised as an official personal best or record due to an illegal tailwind of +4.1 m/s, it showcased the sprinter’s return to top form ahead of the major international competitions later this year.
The 9.67 effort is among the fastest 100m times ever recorded under any conditions, highlighting Jacobs’ impressive speed despite the mark being ineligible for record books. The legal wind limit for official performances is +2.0 m/s.
Men’s 100m Final Results
Marcell Jacobs (Italy) – 9.67 seconds (+4.1 m/s)
Romell Glave – 9.76 seconds
Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa) – 9.83 seconds
Yoshihide Kiryu (Japan) – 9.99 seconds
Jacobs had already hinted at a big performance earlier in the day by winning his heat in 9.84 seconds. However, that run was also assisted by a tailwind of +2.3 m/s, making it ineligible as an official mark.
A Confidence-Boosting Performance
While the conditions prevented Jacobs from entering the record books, the performance is an encouraging sign for the Tokyo Olympic 100m champion after battling injuries and inconsistent form in recent seasons. His explosive acceleration and top-end speed in Eisenstadt suggest that he is regaining the level that made him one of the world’s premier sprinters.
The victory also serves as an important milestone as Jacobs prepares for the upcoming European Athletics Championships, where he will aim to challenge for another major international title.
Van Niekerk Continues Sprint Return
Former 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk continued to test himself over the shorter distance, finishing third in 9.83 seconds. The South African’s performance underlined his growing versatility as he continues his return to elite competition.
Key Highlights
Marcell Jacobs won the Austrian Open 100m title in 9.67 seconds.
The performance was assisted by a +4.1 m/s tailwind and is not eligible as an official record.
Jacobs also won his qualifying heat in 9.84 seconds with a +2.3 m/s wind.
Romell Glave finished second in 9.76 seconds, while Wayde van Niekerk secured third place in 9.83 seconds.
The race provides a major confidence boost for Jacobs ahead of the 2026 European Athletics Championships.
