Diogo Ribeiro, 19 years old, made his debut in the Olympic Games this Tuesday, in the 100 meters freestyle, finishing in seventh place in his heat with a time of 48.88s and failing to qualify for the semi-finals, as his record was not among the 16 fastest. Diogo Ribeiro was 28th in the heats out of 79 athletes.
The world champion in the 50 and 100 meters butterfly, Diogo Ribeiro will return to the Olympic pool this Thursday, but in the 50 freestyle. The 100m butterfly event will take place on Friday.
“I am super relaxed for what is left”
At the end of his participation, Diogo Ribeiro analyzed his performance: “I turned almost in front and it was a good start, but I ended up paying the price for that good start. I swam pulling up instead of pulling forward. And it cost me in the last 15 meters.”
“I already knew, from the last races I did, that the last 15/25 meters would always hurt more. I thought I would be calmer, but I failed in that detail of pulling up instead of pulling forward,” added the Portuguese swimmer.
Diogo Ribeiro admitted that the competition in the Olympic Games has a different nature than the World Championships, but assured that elimination did not affect him.
“These are the Olympic Games. The pressure and sensations are different. I actually felt calmer than at the World Championship. But it doesn’t always go well. It’s not worrisome and I’m super relaxed for what is left.”
Regarding what he still has to compete, Diogo Ribeiro showed optimism and revealed how he views what is left for him to swim: “The big bet is the 100m butterfly, of course. The 50m freestyle is a race to understand my speed.”