Paralympic athlete Shchurova: “I would like to immerse myself in a Parisian fairy tale, but not everything depends on us”

Russian Paralympic swimming team captain Zoya Shchurova told she felt a sense of uncertainty ahead of the Summer Paralympics in Paris.

On Tuesday, an open training session of Russian swimmers takes place in Kaluga ahead of the Paralympic Games in the French capital, which will take place from August 28 to September 8.

— How do you reassure yourself, knowing that you will go to the Paralympic Games?

— I work with a psychologist, for example. It helps me. I set a goal and understand that not everything depends on us. I just work in the conditions that exist. And if something doesn’t work out, I take it for granted. But the psychologist says that I will succeed. And we need to pay less attention to others. You need to focus on yourself and approach everything calmly.

— What do the Paris Paralympic Games represent for you? What feelings?

— Quite lost for now. Because we are in the dark. I would like to enter this Parisian fairy tale. But for now, we prepare ourselves and do our work.

— We still don’t know if you’ll go?

— In general, we are inclined to believe that, probably, yes. But everything can change at any moment. We are just training and waiting now. Everything does not depend on us.

— How do you choose a captain for the national team?

– They choose in the bathhouse. Yes, seriously. The former captain has already finished her career. And before Tokyo 2020, there was a situation when the team needed a new captain. The guys sat in the bathhouse and decided: “Let Zoya be there.” And then at the meeting they raised the issue and elected me almost unanimously. I can’t even say that I competed with anyone for this place.

— Should the captain himself be a psychologist?

– Well, yes. When I work with a psychologist myself, I gain the necessary experience.

— Do you dream of attending the opening ceremony?

— I have already been to Tokyo. The impressions were great, I felt a strong feeling. But there is a sign that those who go to the opening of the Paralympic Games do not win medals. I have been there, I do not need them anymore.

— How do you communicate with athletes from other countries?

— My main rivals write to me and ask if I will come to Paris and that they really want to see me in the next lane for swimming. They are very friendly! – Shchurova told .

Earlier, RKR President Pavel Rozhkov told that the organization had sent applications of 92 athletes to the Paralympic Games Organizing Committee. It is expected that 48 track and field athletes, 35 swimmers, five table tennis athletes, two triathlon and two taekwondo athletes will take part in the Games in the French capital.

The performances of Russian athletes at the Paralympic Games can be watched live on the channels of the “Match!” family.

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