2024-07-31 05:57:04
– I hope to mobilize, develop my weaknesses and finally make it to the Olympic final
– I was able to get from the energy that the French public gave to Leon Marchand. It felt very nice compared to Tokyo
Lyubomir Epitropov swam great in the Olympic semi-final of the 200 m breaststroke – he finished fourth in his heat, and in the end only 4 hundredths separated him from participating in the final in Paris. In his semi-final, Lubomir overtook the world record holder Hayang Kin. The 25-year-old Bulgarian is the first reserve and finished in ninth place, but with the character shown and the fight to the end in the final 50 meters of the distance, they are certainly a reason to be proud. Pride for all Bulgarians that our swimmer is among the “big fish” in the Olympic pool.
This is what Lyubomir Epitropov stated in an interview, right after he got out of the pool.
– Luba, congratulations on your performance – 9th place at the Olympic Games, although with the final remaining 4 hundredths away. How do you rate your result in Paris?
– Thanks. I am satisfied to some extent, although there is also disappointment that I did not manage to qualify for the final. 4 hundredths separated me from this goal of mine. but i’m moving on. quite a successful year for me – after the European Championship, now at the Olympic Games. I am completely satisfied with the year. I could only qualify for the final here, but… I gave it my all. That’s just the sport – sometimes you win by a little bit, other times a little bit separates you from success.
– You went half a second faster than the morning swim in the heats and your time is 60 hundredths faster…
– Yes, my plan was to go a little faster. To be in the game after the first hundred meters. The swim went more or less well. There were some things that maybe I could have done better, but that was all from me.
– And yet there is an upgrade – 15th in Tokyo, now – 9th… Despite it, you are both satisfied and not…
– I am definitely more satisfied. The important thing is to improve. From 15th place I go to 9th. This is an improvement. I also managed to get my first title and medal from a major competition about a month ago, so I’ll say it again – I’m happy with this year.
– Although your emotions are still raging inside you, try to weigh yourself. On the one hand, the satisfaction of the result and the 9th place, and on the other – the thought that the whole world could look at you and the Bulgarian flag next to your name at the Olympic final. Which weighs more – the four hundredths that separated you from the dream or the satisfaction of your achievement, the achievement of a great athlete among the greatest in the pool?
– Ninth place is a success for me. Of course, any higher place would be an even greater success, but I can’t help but be happy about success. I am satisfied. I just hope in the future to mobilize and develop my weaknesses so that I can be more competitive and finally make it to the Olympic final.
– What did you hear while swimming, from the unique atmosphere in the stands? Because the French public offers a completely different experience for swimmers who find themselves in a series with Leon Marchand?
– Yes, it so happened that I was swimming with Leon – the local big talent and favorite. It was very noisy at the pool. The audience showed serious support for their favorite. I was able to get some of that energy. It felt very nice compared to Tokyo three years ago. I would say it was quite loud as I swam the distance itself. They definitely give positive energy to the contestants.
– Surely with your performances you will inspire even more Bulgarian children to what you love yourself, because a Bulgarian boy is among the best in sports such as swimming. Do you realize that?
– I hope so. This is one of my main goals – apart from personal achievements, to succeed as a team in promoting swimming in Bulgaria, to raise the general level of all sports. Not only in swimming, in all Olympic sports. I really hope this performance of mine leads to such results. And the ranking of more participants in Olympic swimming. In the last two, we have a total of nine competitors, which is much more than the previous three or four. And now we are sending them with standard A covered. I hope this is the basis for an upswing in Bulgarian sport.
– When everything in the 200m breaststroke is over for you and when you see the results in the 100m breaststroke, do you have any thought that you could have achieved something serious there as well?
– I don’t regret not swimming it. I preferred to focus fully on my stronger 200m event. what could and could not happen – there is no point in speculating.
– Did you think that the Olympic title in 100 m will be won with a result over 59 seconds?
– Honestly, I didn’t think so. I thought it would be a lot faster, but that’s the sport.
– What do you have in store for the rest of this year?
– One long break. I can say deserved. I look forward to it. After that, preparations for the new season begin.