“I wanted to end my career, but in Paris I was full of energy.” Shabalina – about Paralympic gold 6 months after giving birth

Valerie Shabalina – incredible! She became a mother in February, resumed training in March, became European champion in April and Paralympic champion in August.

In the mixed zone after the final, Valeria and her coach Tatyana Novikova cried with happiness. After the award ceremony, when the golden duo digested their emotions, we told how they managed to win the Paralympic Games in such a situation.

— How did you feel during the distance?

Chabalina: — I didn’t push myself in the first part, but in the second I gave up so much heat that everyone fell behind.

— Was it a plan or an impulse of the soul?

Chabalina: — I wanted to reach the second hundred!

Novikova: — We are still working for the second half, so that was the setup. We focused on our rivals.

Chabalina: — Finally, I beat the British! The coach said that if I beat the British girl, she would give me a badge. I did it and she gave me the badge.

— Was the gold medal a bonus to the badge? It is clear. Were the British a fundamental rival?

Novikova: — This British girl and I didn’t swim anywhere, they hid her. She set a world record with the “dolphin” and was afraid of doing a good time in the 200m freestyle.

— How is it possible to recover within six months of giving birth and still participate in the Paralympic Games?

Novikova: — She nursed the child for a month. In March we had to return, there was no option, because we had to qualify for the Olympics at the European Championships in Funchal. There was no choice. She returned in March and swam slowly for two weeks. At the European Championships there were two gold medals and two silver. It is a mystery to me how we did it. Apparently the supply was good, the break was not so long, and then they started working.

— It seemed like you might retire from the sport?

Chabalina: — The head coach and Tatyana Vyacheslavovna (Novikova) stopped me. I was tired of swimming and these thoughts appeared. Now there is a new charge of emotions. When I went far away on the first day, I just recharged, I received such energy from the audience. I have not seen so many fans, I have not seen so many people in the stands.

Novikova: — We are very warmly welcomed by the stands. There is nothing like us being in some way without a flag, without an anthem. We are a Paralympic family. It is a lot of support, it was nice to see people reaching out and high-fiving him. Beautiful!

— Do you talk to your child via video call?

Chabalina: — Several times a day. Today we cut our first tooth!

Novikova: – And the gold medal broke!

— How will Chelyabinsk welcome you?

Novikova: — They are already writing and calling! The correspondents want to talk. I think it will be a good meeting.

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