Although Noè Ponti's 5th place in the 200 m dolphin meant he was unable to take his first chance of a second Olympic medal, he is satisfied and positive about the 100 m dolphin.
31.07.2024, 23:19
01.08.2024, 00:17
SDA
Noè Ponti, with 1:54.14 minutes you equaled the Swiss record you set in the semi-final of the 200 m dolphin - was more than 5th place simply not possible today?
"I'm happy with 5th place. Three years ago (in Tokyo) I was tenth and missed the final. The first four were better today. I think a high 1:53 would have been possible, but 1:52 is too fast for me."
The feeling in the water was as it should be?
"Yes, it was perfect. I pushed a lot in the last underwater phase and didn't have that much energy left at the end. But that's how it is over 200 m dolphin."
Honestly, how much did you believe you could win a medal?
"Very much. You always have to want to win and dream about it, otherwise why am I here? But it wasn't a defeat today. Not many Swiss (swimmers - the ed.) have finished fifth or better at the Olympic Games."
Right next to you swam crowd favorite Léon Marchand, who was frenetically driven to Olympic victory. Did that have an influence on you?
"No, not at all. I knew he would swim fast. I just did my race. I don't care whether the spectators are for Léon Marchand, for me or Kristof Milak (who won silver). But yes, the atmosphere was mega. I just thought they were for me and not for Léon. After all, Léon and Noé are almost the same thing (laughs)."
On Friday and Saturday, the races in your showpiece discipline, the 100 m dolphin, in which you won Olympic bronze in Tokyo three years ago, are on the program. You should be tackling this event full of confidence.
"Yes, I am. I'm in shape, I know that. I'll recover well tomorrow and give it my all. Many of my friends will be there. I'll be thinking about the preliminary round first, then the semi-final and, if it works out, the final. To reach this, I have to swim fast."
But with her form, a lot should be possible.
"We'll see on Friday. I can't say anything now, I won't know until I've swum. The fact that I was good in the 200 m dolphin doesn't automatically mean that I'm also good in the 100 m dolphin."
