Russian Paralympian Vetokhina: “I imagined that I was not in Paris, but in Cheboksary at the Russian Championships”

Discus thrower of the Russian Paralympic team Ekaterina Vetokhina told what helped her reach the final of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Russian Ekaterina Vetokhina reached the final of the 2024 Paralympic Games in the discus throw (F57 class), posting the second result (24.52 m). The best attempt was made by Brazilian Juliana Cristina da Silva (24.75). The final will take place tomorrow at 11:00 Moscow time.

– What can you say about your attempts?

— The rain had a big impact. I didn’t expect it to be so strong. It was difficult to get a dry disc because there were no dry towels. They didn’t give them to us. My attitude, my goal, my task is simply to make an attempt to qualify to reach the final. And I did it.

– Even if the first attempt didn’t count.

— The judge considered the machine too high. They decided to measure it. It turned out that everything was fine. But the attempt was not counted. I didn’t even understand why. I was already tense. I had to at least count in the score somehow. I made this attempt. And the third time, it already went.

We still have a misunderstanding about the belts. Here, at the competitions, they are not allowed to tie the athletes. They have to do it themselves, without help. But I could not tie myself tightly enough. Well, I will think tonight what to do tomorrow. It is better that way there will be no shallows at the main start.

— What is your general impression of the Paralympic Games in Paris?

— When I went to the Stade de France, I expected something grandiose. We were told that there would be a lot of people, but a full house. But it turned out that the cup was completely empty. Only our coaches were sitting in the stands, shouting and giving advice.

“It didn’t bother me. I didn’t get tense. I imagined the situation as if I was not in Paris, but in Cheboksary during the Russian Championship. And I felt comfortable,” Vetokhina told .

The Paralympic Games in the French capital will take place from August 28 to September 8. Russian athletes will participate in the competitions in neutral status.

Watch the Paralympic swimming finals live these minutes on the “Match! Arena” and “Match! Country”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

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