Antigoni Dritspioti finished in 22nd place in the 20 kilometers race walk at the Paris Olympic Games, completing her race with a time of 1:31.33.
Although she improved her best time of the year by about two minutes, Dritspioti, who finished embraced with the Greek flag, was unable to achieve her dream in a year filled with challenges in her schedule.
After the race, the European champion appeared very emotional in her statements.
“This is my last participation in the Olympic Games. I have been crying for two days now; I can’t collect my emotions. I am happy because I had a good performance. I don’t even know what place I have, but I am very satisfied with the result given the circumstances of the year,” she said.
“It was a very difficult year. When an athlete has problems with their body, they also have problems with their mind. These are interconnected. I was trying one moment to fix my body and the next to fix my mind. I was a bit confused. In the end, I found my footing, I got in line. I worked methodically, and today I think I had a decent performance in the Olympic final.”
“Paris leaves me with something sweet, my whole experience here. From being a little kid competing, I don’t have any bad moments to remember. I have always had an upward trajectory. So, I am definitely leaving with my head held high. I have only beautiful memories to cherish, amazing friendships that will last forever. This inner competition, where you come out of here and you are embraced. These feelings can only be given to you by sports, and I am proud to experience them.”
When asked to clarify what she meant by “leaving,” which she had mentioned earlier, she responded: “‘Leaving’ means ‘leaving.’ This is my last participation in the Olympic Games. As for the rest, I don’t know. Thank you for the support. You may not have been happy with my result, but I thank you for the support.”