German Paralympic Summer Games participant “We are together. Sport ”Martina Villing told that it was important for her to win a medal during the competition in Sochi.
– You push the shot, throw the disc. What else is in the plans?
“On Saturday, my other discipline is the javelin. And it’s my favorite kind of program.
– While you are without medals. How important is it for you not only to play in Sochi, but also to win a prize here?
“Sport exists to win awards. I really hope I can do it in the javelin throw. And right here in Sochi. The Russian medal is important to me, Willing told .
— How did you hear about the Paralympic Summer Games in Russia?
– My manager and assistant Zina organizes athletics events in the Saxon town of Freital, where we both live. His community invited Russian Paralympic athletes to compete, but they were denied visas. In response, the Russian Paralympic Committee made an offer to German athletes. Ok, unfortunately only us, me and Zina. Others were just scared.
– What exactly is the reaction to consent or the situation in Sochi?
– We decided that they could lose their jobs in the field of sport, they would fall under sanctions.
– Why weren’t you scared?
– This world is full of fears, any distance popularizes them. And I refuse to accept the fear, I ignore it.
— Coming to Russia is quite expensive. Has anyone helped you financially?
All the preparations for this trip were supported by friends. And most importantly – Russian friends living in Germany. One of them, Tatyana, helped with visa processing and other difficulties. She wanted to come with us, but couldn’t for personal reasons. But she found a driver who took us across Poland to Kaliningrad. From there there was a flight to St. Petersburg and only then to Sochi. Zina and I paid for the car, the hotel in Kaliningrad and the internal flights ourselves.
You are visually impaired from birth. But problems with the musculoskeletal system, I heard, arose in connection with sports?
– Yes, I have competed in winter competitions before, but at the 1994 Paralympic Games in Lillehammer I fell on the ski course, had surgery and have been in a wheelchair ever since.
– Did you bring the metal platform used by discus throwers and shot putters with you?
‘No, they borrowed it here. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my own chair, the path was too difficult. Although from there I make more distant attempts.
— What did you learn about Sochi during the Games? Where were you?
First of all, I’m glad to be here again. For the first time was in 1978 on vacation. I admired then the hospitality and the cordiality of the Russians. Later, I visited other cities, so I was very happy when I received an invitation to the Summer Games. Not a second thought and not a single ounce of disappointment. I feel good, I have confidence in my abilities.
Athletics competitions within the framework of the Sochi Summer Games will end on October 8.
Source : MatchTV
