2024-08-03 04:13:51
Only 83 women in the world can boast a jump of 200 cm or more in the entire history of the discipline. Six of them are Bulgarian – Stefka Kostadinova, Lyudmila Andonova, Venelina Veneva-Mateeva, Emilia Draghieva, Svetlana Leseva and Mirela Demireva. And after the Olympics in Paris, it is very likely that everyone has given up on sports.
At her third Olympics, Mirela Demireva failed to qualify for the final. She cleared 183cm on her first attempt, 188cm on her second attempt, then recorded three fouls at 192cm. Her last attempt was a hair’s breadth and had she managed the height, the Rio silver medalist would have been among the best.
After qualifying, Mirella admitted that this was probably her last race. Due to the injuries, he will not be able to last until the European indoor competition in Amsterdam next year, as he wanted. Because it is her first medal in the Netherlands, and she has been living and training there for 8 years.
“I don’t always succeed. Unfortunately, that’s what happened here. It’s hard for me. I had other desires, other longings. I know I played fair, I fought until the end. Thanks to everyone who crossed their fingers for me today. It was really a pleasure to jump here. I want to wish success to all who are yet to participate. I hope we win medals. As you know, we also have a lot of kids in athletics, I keep my fingers crossed for them. My performance today was not inspiring, but when I look back on my career, I will be able to walk with my head held high,” said Mirella.
“I know how I got here. The feeling of jumping at the Olympics cannot be compared to anything else – she added. Yes, there was a problem with the start, but we got it right,” she added. “Now it is difficult for me to give an assessment because I am still under the influence of emotions. I had to jump better, control my run better. For me, it’s always the run-up”, said Mirela.
“I will rest a little and see what to do. If I’m healthy, I’ll try for the European indoor. But I’m already thinking about vacation, about family,” Mirela added.
Yaroslava Maguchich, who broke Stefka Kostadinova’s record, disrobed for only two heights and reached the final. There are also Nikola Ollislegers and Eleanor Peterson (Australia), the second Ukrainian Iryna Gerashchenko, Safina Saduayeva (Uzbekistan), Kristina Honsel (Germany), Elena Kulichenko (Cyprus), Tatiana Gussin (Greece), Maval Meniker (France), Busse Savaskan ( Turkey), Vildilea Martins (Brazil), Vashti Cunningham (USA) and Angelina Topic (Serbia). Topic, who is a medal favorite, was injured in the warm-up and entered the final on one leg.