2024-08-02 08:56:43
On Thursday evening, the Vilnius woman started in the 200 m breaststroke final of the Paris Olympic Games. Dramatically advancing to the final, the Lithuanian took fifth place and, together with Danas Rapšius, reached the highest position among Lithuanian swimmers at the Olympics.
In the final, she covered the distance in 2 minutes. 23.75 seconds, and the swimmer’s performance was watched live in the arena not only by the rest of the Lithuanian swimming team, but also by K. Teterevkova’s family.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t see what was happening on the other side, because I was in the very first lane, but the first 50 m was swimming so well, I didn’t even understand what was happening. At the finish I could see that she (the competitor) was ahead, but I just swam at my own pace. I’m glad I was on the side, it allowed me to concentrate on my swimming.
I didn’t expect it myself. I saw the place – I was very happy. Then I thought, what is the result if fifth place? I looked and it was a little worse (than in the semi-finals), but I think – well, it’s hard to compare time here, the place was the most satisfying. Since Dan and I are both fifth, it’s cool,” said the Olympian after the swim.
K. Teterevkova, who welcomed the second Summer Olympic Games in Paris, achieved the best result of her career – in the last Olympics, she participated only in the 100 m breaststroke competition, and she was left behind in the finals.
We remind you that in the semi-final held on Wednesday, the swimmer covered the distance in 2 minutes. 23.42 sec. She took the seventh position overall.
She won the selection held in the morning of the same day in 2 minutes. 24.59 sec. – that time, in the semi-final swimming, Vilnius managed to improve its result by more than a second.
In the final, she swam a bit slower than in the semi-final, but she left three competitors behind her, including US swimming star Lilly King (left eighth). It is with her that K. Teterevkova is playing in the American’s hometown this season.
“When I saw her result, I was surprised because she swims well in the 200m, but probably with age it’s a bit more difficult, it’s really a confidence that I trained with her and beat her.
She is very hardworking, she didn’t let me rest, she is very strong,” continued the Lithuanian.
After the show that ended on a fun note, the swimmer is already thinking about a two-month vacation, but before going there, she added that the swimmer will not return to the United States next season.
Together with this final swimming of K. Teterevkova, the Olympic fire of the Lithuanian swimming team of these Games went out – all seven Olympians finished their performances in the French capital.
In addition to K. Teterevkova, the Lithuanian swimming team was represented at the Olympic Games by Rūta Meilutytė, Danas Rapšys, Andrius Šidlauskas, Aleksas Savickas, Tomas Lukminas and Tomas Navikonis.
The Paris Olympic Games take place from July 26 to August 11, and you can follow their progress and the hottest comments of athletes on the lrytas.lt portal.
– Does this fifth place satisfy you? K. Teterevkova was asked.
– Of course! I didn’t expect it myself. I saw the place – I was very happy. Then I thought about the result, if the fifth place, I saw that it was a little worse (than in the semi-finals), but I think – well, it’s difficult to compare time here, it was the most satisfying place.
Since Dan and I are both five, it’s cool.
– Was it the most memorable final of your career?
– There were many memorable starts in the youth championships, and now that the Olympics are the highest level competition, it can be said that it is.
– How do you feel physically after the marathon?
– I think I will rest from swimming for two months, I’m really looking forward to that and I’m really looking forward to being able to hug my parents.
– What kind of K. Teterevkova is leaving this Olympics?
– I am stronger now and I hope to be even stronger.
– You probably didn’t even get to see Paris during all the work… What are your plans now?
– Now I will have to (smiles). I haven’t been to the Olympic Village for three days. I won’t go to the swimming pool, and now I’m traveling around Paris with my parents, the goal is to go to Disneyland with them, that’s it – I don’t even want to think about sports anymore.
– And where have you been?
– At the hotel.
– Why?
– That’s what the coach decided.
– Was it calmer?
– Calm down, because all those roads, buses, queues are very tiring for me, that’s what the coach said to go to the hotel.
– And the rest of the Lithuanian swimmers stayed in the Olympic village?
– Yes, I’m glad they came to support me.
– Maybe it was more beneficial?
– I don’t know, but I wasn’t the only one in the hotel, the Americans also travel to hotels between sessions, so I think that everything is in order.
– Where were the more comfortable beds – in the Olympic village or in the hotel?
– That cardboard bed is harder… (smiles). It was really quieter in the hotel, that’s all in order.
– What are your plans after the holidays?
– There is a plan, but I don’t want to announce too much what I will do next season, but I will not stay in the USA.
– How do you rate the experience in the USA?
– I am very glad that I went there, because it really strengthened me psychologically. Both physically. Of course, this is not the best result, but the top five is really surprising.
2024-08-02 08:56:43