MADRID, 21 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish swimmer Hugo González faces the Paris 2024 Olympic Games “with more motivation than expectations”, so he will look for the best events in which to “bet” on competing, after winning a silver and a gold at the Doha World Cup ( Qatar) after “measuring themselves with the best in the world”.
“We wanted to compete, to measure ourselves against the best in the world. It was a good time in February to do it, taking into account that we have the Games in July, it turned out much better than expected. We go with more motivation than expectations. We will probably have to decide why try betting,” Hugo González admitted to the media from the Higher Sports Council (CSD).
The Spaniard assured that they are on “the right path” to continue “lowering records.” “We have to swim faster and aspire to the best in Paris. We continue with the same motivation, the desire is to continue improving details as at the beginning, scratching tenths for each length and aspire to the best in Paris,” said the champion of the world in 200 backstroke and silver in 100 backstroke.
“Since I won the medals three or four days ago, I still have not found words to describe it. Now it is no longer from Doha, now I am here and I am super grateful for all the support we have received, both on social networks and in the media,” he noted.
The swimmer acknowledged that he is “lucky” to return to Spain with the medals, although he puts in “the same effort” as his training partners. “He is very grateful and satisfying after all the hours of suffering and effort,” he said.
Regarding the relay event, the double medalist at Doha 2024 indicated that “the more swimmers” the better the competitive “environment.” “We will have a better connection between us and taking three relays to Paris. It is very motivating, in fact in Doha we finished fifth,” he stressed.
“The calendar is very difficult, especially for me because my two best events, the two 200, overlap, I think the 200 backstroke final is 29 minutes before the 200 medley semifinal and now it will be time to decide again what to do in the Games,” he pointed out.
Finally, González faces the final stretch of a “long” season in which he “never really” stops for “too long.” “The season started for me in September, we've been there for six months, we have approximately five more months left until the Games, so the goal is that, the end of the season,” he concluded.