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M.Nikolova swim interview
Martina Moravcova is one of the
most decorated swimmers of our times. Her collection includes 67 medals including 2-Olympic, 22-World and 43-European,
along with 3-World, 16-European and 203-Slovakian records. I have the pleasure on meeting her, but also watch
her compete during the year. She was very open in giving FBSS her first
interview.
M.Moravcova: There is one more Olympics in sight for me…
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Martina
Moravcova (2005)
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* What are your plans for the future in swimming
aspect?
- I
would like to carry on until 2009. Winter 2008 / Spring 2009. Somewhere during this
time there will be my last swim meet.
* Your first Olympics Games were in Barcelona when
you were only 16 years old. How do you find the motivation to still keep
going, after 14 years later and 3 more Olympic Games behind you?
- It
is really hard but there is one more Olympics in sight for me. That keeps
my motivation burning. I have
been struggling with my motivation in the recent years, especially the
year after Athens. I got my lower back injured and it really affected my
training.
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It still does affect my fly technique and kick
but it is much better after I went thru extensive rehab. I have good periods but sometimes I experience
signs of burn out or disinterest. However, even during these dull periods I
have always tried to stay focused on my training and just push thru.
* What
do you think is the biggest advantage of the US swimming?
- A
large base of talents and swimmers in general. The US has great training
conditions/great facilities. Collegiate swimming is one huge advantage that
rewards the best swimmers (e. by scholarships) and gives many other ones
the opportunity to keep on swimming after high school while working towards
their university degree. It is something that is very difficult to do in
Europe.
* Swimming is in critical situation not only in
Bulgaria, but in many others Balkan countries- such as Serbia, Albania,
BiH, FYROM, etc. What do you thing is the most important aspect that needs
to change?
- The
overall social and economic climate changed. I do not have any knowledge
about those countries but I can say a few words about the situation in
Slovakia.
I feel that kids have no motivation to keep
swimming past their age of 14-15years. Many swimmers drop out about this
age. They have other choices and the system does not provide any motivation
for them to continue swimming. There is no money in swimming unless you are
really top three in the world, there is no advantage to get in schools
(schools are free - no need for scholarships). Swimming just costs them
money and energy which they can spend elsewhere. If they want to be serious
about swimming it requires hours of dedicated training, pain and fatigue and
they are simply not willing to do that. They ask why? What's in it for me?
At that age (when they are 15 or 18) the medals lost their charms. They
loose their passion and their dreams. It is a reality time check and many
decide to take the rain check.
In my country you always hear "there is no
money to go to swimming meets, to training camps etc". And I am
talking about the situation at the national level. You have to go out and
find yourself a sponsor....only a very few athletes in Slovakia get some
good financial support from the government.
I am a lucky one because I have had good results.
I get the attention of the commercial sector and the government as well. My
preparation and meets are funded from the government funds but it is a
constant struggle. I make my money thru commercial sector and some at
meets. Had I not make money I would not have been swimming anymore. Let's
face it, making money is actually a big motivation which keeps me going.
Otherwise, I would have been long time history.
* Have you been to Bulgaria? What is your impression?
- When
I was a little kid and unfortunately I do not remember it at all.
* Any advice you can give to our readers and the people
who love swimming?
- Try
to keep your passion burning at all times. Sometime you hit a rocky road
and the "flame" may get tinny, but you should never ever let it
die. You cannot do sport without it.
(USA, By Maya Nikolova,
Nov. 2006)
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