MADRID, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish swimmer Teresa Perales, 2021 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, has assured that she is already “much better” both of the shoulder and the physical problem she suffered in Tokyo and for which she still does not have a “clinical diagnosis”, adding that he thinks to continue competing until he “can’t do it anymore.”
“From what happened in Tokyo I feel much better. I still have no clinical diagnosis. A doctor told me that it could be like when your head hurts, they do an MRI and everything comes out perfect because it is a functional problem, not an organic one. and that in my case maybe it’s the same. I’m very happy to be well now, “Terales said to the press in Oviedo.
The Aragonese was admitted on September 5 to a Tokyo hospital during the Paralympic Games, initially due to an anxiety and stress crisis that flatly denied the winner of 27 Paralympic medals. Finally, he was able to return to Spain on a medicalized plane and next Friday he will be at the Princess of Asturias Award ceremony.
“Regarding the shoulder, it seemed impossible that I could participate in the Games, but I am very stubborn and in the end the shoulder responded to me quite well. In fact, to this day I can say that I do not have any pain. I will have to undergo surgery, but at the moment he is quite stable, “he explained about the injury that was about to leave him without going to Tokyo.
At 45, Perales pointed out that he continues to “have the objective of competing.” “My stubbornness is what led me to get 27 Paralympic medals and to continue to maintain the illusion of continuing to compete. I am aware of the reality, of what it means to be so old, but in Tokyo I managed to win a medal. I will probably not retire winning medals I’ll do it when I can’t do it anymore, “he said.
Regarding the award he will receive in Oviedo, he stressed that “it was not so much a goal as a dream that has come true.” “After having been nominated on several occasions, being able to be awarded this year makes me very excited. This year I also did not know that my candidacy was on the table and it was an absolute surprise, one of the most beautiful of all my life”, thanked.
“I am a woman, I have a disability and I am a Paralympic athlete, so many groups representing the population are fulfilled in my person. I remember many athletes who have not had it easy, who throughout their careers have had to fight a lot to stay in the high competition, “he concluded.