Roman Mityukov feels a huge sense of satisfaction after winning bronze in the Olympic swimming pool and is looking forward to a lavish celebration after a long period of toil.
02.08.2024, 07:10
02.08.2024, 09:19
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- Roman Mityukov wins bronze in the 200 m backstroke on August 1.
- He achieved his goal and is accordingly happy. He was already in pain before the race and his thoughts were constantly spinning the night before the race.
- The fact that he was able to achieve such success after his disappointment (out in the preliminary heats over 100 m) is doubly pleasing.
- "In the last 50 meters, I thought about everything I've done this season, about my parents who were there, about everyone around me. I'm so proud that I fought to the end."
When Mityukov spoke to journalists 30 minutes after winning the bronze medal in the 200 m backstroke at the Olympic Games in Paris, he was not yet fully aware of the significance of his achievement. But the joy was palpable: "A medal was my goal. I'm very proud of myself - I did it," said the 24-year-old from Geneva in the mixed zone.
"I rarely say it, but I'm really proud of what I've achieved. It's nice to see that the hard work and the many kilometers swum have paid off. It was a long and difficult season, but it was worth it. It allowed me to experience a moment like this," continued Mityukov.
Although he tends to be reserved with the media, Mityukov could not hide his emotions. "I will be especially emotional when I receive my medal. I've been fighting for it all season. I've had some terrible training sessions. But I'm so happy that it has paid off. It's incredible," he said.
Doubts after the 100 m
He had always been aware that he had trained for this 200 m. "But I have to admit that I had a few difficult days after the 100 m (out in the heats - ed.)," Mityukov continued. "And I managed this incredible time. Even though I'm only a few hundredths away from silver (3 hundredths - ed.), I'm still very happy," he added.
The race was tough, "a real Olympic final", said Mityukov. "In the last 50 meters, I thought about everything I've done this season, about my parents who were there, about everyone around me. I'm so proud that I fought to the end."
Pain everywhere
However, nothing was easy: "After just 100 meters, my muscles were burning, my legs and arms were aching," he said. "I could feel that the others were strong. But I had to be stronger, and I was." Mityukov confessed that he was already aching all over during the warm-up.
He wouldn't have been able to cope if he hadn't won a medal, said Mityukov. "I thought I would mess up. It wasn't easy with this adrenaline and this tension." He hadn't slept all night. "All kinds of thoughts and scenarios were running through my head. I saw myself on the podium, but I said to myself: 'Stop thinking about it, it will destroy you if you come fourth or fifth'."
Now he can "enjoy and live a quiet life", said Mityukov. "I still have one relay, the 4x100 meter medley, to go. But after that, I'll definitely celebrate it worthily after holding back for a year."
