2024-08-01 18:57:47
“By breaking the world record at the start of the season, he showed that he is currently the best discus thrower in the world. He has great talent and good genes,” she said, referring to Mykolos’ father, two-time Olympic champion and current Olympic record holder Virgilij Aleknas.
However, according to the experienced athlete, the Olympic Games are a completely new situation: “He needs to stay focused, especially during the qualifying competition, which can cause a lot of tension for throwers.”
“Daniel Stahl has more experience, but Mykolas is young and already a great thrower. I am sure that he will claim a medal”, C. Kliuft is convinced.
She singled out the aforementioned Tokyo Olympic champion Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, Slovenia’s Kristjan Čech and Matthew Denny from Australia as other favorites in the event.
When asked by Eurosport, the broadcaster of the Olympic Games, whether it is important to rely on the experience of parents as athletes, or whether it is better to rely on yourself, the experienced athlete said that success lies in the middle: “It’s cool to have a father with experience. <...> This can be extremely helpful as long as it does not become a negative pressure. If that experience is used as an inspiration and a learning tool, then it is definitely an asset. My own parents competed in football and track and field, so their experiences were very useful to me.”
Men’s discus qualifying is scheduled for Monday, August 5. Lithuanians Andrius Gudžius and Martynas Alekna will also take part in it. If successful, they will compete in the final on Wednesday 7 August at 9.25pm.
2024-08-01 18:57:47