2024-08-03 17:13:40
The runner from Jonava covered the distance in 1 minute. 59.18 sec. This is her new personal record. In the sixth run, he allowed G. Galvydyta to take the fourth place
Until then, her personal best was 2 minutes. 00.11 sec., so in her Olympic debut, the athlete managed to “cut off” almost a whole second.
“Who could have thought that in such a start you would have to run in 1 minute. 59 sec. It’s a pity, it’s very close to the semi-finals, but the next chance is already on Saturday,” said the runner.
She will compete in the consolation run on Saturday.
This is a new system for Olympic running, which is engaged in reforms – the selection held on Friday revealed the first 18 runners who will participate in the semi-finals (runners who took the first three places in each race).
The rest of the athletes, including G. Galvydytė, will compete in consolation runs on Saturday. A total of four runs will be held, and six more runners will enter the semi-finals (the winners of each run and the two Olympians who showed the best result in all runs).
“The funniest thing is that I found out about it (the new system) only three days ago, it was unexpected, because being fourth in my run, I think there would be a chance to win a direct ticket to the semi-finals, a very good time,” continued Ionaviesti.
The 800m consolation will be held on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. 20 minutes Lithuanian time.
The Paris Olympic Games take place from July 26 to August 11, and you can follow their progress and the hottest comments from athletes lrytas.lt portal.
– You beat your personal best by almost a second. What were the main reasons for this? G. Galvydytė was asked.
– The biggest thanks to Justin Beržanskis, who started coaching me in Lithuania, he is a wonderful coach. I have a coach who is here and he is not only a coach – he is also a training partner, he helps emotionally, he leads the training very well. We knew I was in good shape and I wouldn’t be here without him.
– The result is impressive, but it seems that you still had reserves, there was a shrug at the end of the distance…
– It was a mistake, but I ran very well, and then I got stuck because I felt that I had so much in my legs, I need to stop, but I can’t complain, this result is my dream, we are very happy.
– How do you like the atmosphere of the games?
– A lot of fun. At first I said that this is one of my dreams, but later I realized that it really is a dream. Until you’re here, you really don’t understand what it means. We all spend a lot of time together, we meet athletes from other sports, which we don’t do so often in Lithuania.
– How much fun is it to hang out with Lithuanians, since you spend a lot of time in the United States, who among your compatriots do you get along with best?
– It is unreal to be here. We met the trio’s basketball coach (Dainius Novickas), and the Olympic delegation, which is amazing. They arranged for us a coffee machine and šakőčiai from Lithuanian chocolates, the conditions are very good, I am very grateful that they accepted me and gave me the opportunity to achieve my best personal result.
– You seem very busy, how do you promise to calm yourself down before this night, when the most important run awaits the next day?
– I ask myself that, because tomorrow we are running at 11 am. (local time), the adrenaline will definitely be there until midnight, maybe even longer, now I want to go back as soon as possible, calm down, get into a cold bath. I think those few hours of lost sleep will do no harm. All will have to be on the same terms.
2024-08-03 17:13:40