“The normal thing in the life of a distance runner is to increase the distance and I am doing the opposite,” says the Ibizan walker.
MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish athlete Marc Tur is clear about his “disadvantage” in the 20 kilometer test, but admits that “surprisingly” he feels “very well” after his adaptation in recent months, knowing that his usual “secondary competition” will be the main one. walking distance at the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris (France).
In an interview with Europa Press, Tur has predicted another reaction if he competes in Paris and a mishap similar to the one at the Olympic Games occurs. disputed in Tokyo (Japan) during the summer of 2021. “I think I would not take it as a disappointment due to the fact of the little time I have had to adapt. And above all, if I give my 100% and if I manage to give everything that I have inside me, I think I can leave satisfied,” he said after remembering the mistake that prevented him from getting a medal.
“Of course I am aware, I know that it is difficult and I know that the current world champion, who is Álvaro Martín, has specialized in the 20 km all his life and I have been doing twenty but it has not been my specialization, it has been my competition secondary school always. I know I’m starting at a disadvantage, but surprisingly I’m feeling very well. So, I hope the stars align and everything turns out well,” he stressed.
“It’s time for another adaptation. If I already had a difficult time adapting to the 35 km and going to the World Championships these years, now I have to adapt to the 20 km because the 35 km disappear. I still dream of being in the Olympic Games again “In Tokyo it was spectacular, but I have that thorn in my side,” said the Ibizan walker.
Tur has stated that “every year is practically a challenge.” “But this year is Olympic and I don’t know what happens to me in Olympic years, it’s like I have extra energy. I think that happens to all athletes, right? The truth is that I look very good, with many desire. During all these years, I had the 20s a little away, it was my second test and now it is my main test. I think that has also changed on a psychological level, in terms of focusing training,” he added.
“The places for the World Championship, for the European Championship and some places for the Olympic Games have already started to be played for. So nothing, training a lot and adapting. The good thing is that I am feeling well and I think it is difficult , but it can come out,” he insisted.
In addition, he has regretted the distance changes in large events. “The one who has the power to change everything is the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics. When I found out that 35 was not going to be Olympic, which was the distance that I had been preparing for during 2021 and 2022, the truth is that it was a jug of cold water. They force you to adapt to making a change that was not planned,” he noted.
“THE NORMAL THING IN THE LIFE OF A DISTRIBUTOR IS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE AND I AM DOING THE OPPOSITE”
“The normal thing in the life of a distance runner is to increase the distance and I am doing the opposite; I started at 50, I dropped at 35 and now I am at 20. I was really making a change, an adaptation, and yes, in no way moment, at least me or in general the walkers of the 35, no one asked us if we liked this change of the 35 for a relay walk or not. Instead, it was the senior officials of the World Athletics and the Olympic Committee International those who decided it,” he commented on the matter.
“Obviously at the beginning I did not agree, but they are decisions that in the end I cannot make, I have not been able to be part of this decision and well… well, accept it and, even so, know that I can also be there, in another distance. I don’t think a door has closed on me, but rather I have to take a different path than the one I had in mind,” Tur remarked.
He then stressed that “this Olympic cycle has been three years” and that “normally the Olympic Games were held and the post-Olympic year was calmer, and for us it has been finishing and starting again, since you are already looking at Paris.” “Everything has been very fast, yes that is true, and if you add to that the adaptations, I have not been able to take a break,” she admitted.
“I returned from Tokyo with bittersweet joy, because as far as possible I did what I expected. And nothing, the fact that the championships have been so close on the calendar is a result and I think this has been better than another solution, which would have been perhaps remove them,” he argued.
Tur has reflected on himself. “The good thing is that I think I have matured a lot in terms of sporting quality and quality of facing the competition. Because every year I have had new challenges and well, they have turned out better or worse, but what is clear to me is that I have learned a lot. This year I’m getting everything I’ve worked for, the blows I’ve taken over these years have helped me to be stronger and with things clearer,” he explained.
“I have grown a lot at the competition level, I think it would be a different Olympic Games. And if I were in my best condition, I certainly already have enough experience of being in an Olympic Games. I have matured and I think I could approach it in a different way. a better way compared to those in Tokyo, that perhaps there are things that would have changed”, he concluded, alluding to his options of going to Paris 2024.