For others wild water, for Gabriela Satková (22) a calm stream. This was true for heats and semi-finals, which she always won confidently. In the fight for medals, however, the Vaires-sur-Marne canal turned into a Czech stream of tears.
The canoeist had everything going well in her debut under five rings, but she already messed up the biggest race of her career by hitting the second goal. Although she passed all the others correctly as a rule, she was hampered by other technical errors. Even the legendary and once again golden Australian Fox was surprised by them, who was holding her head in disbelief. “It was such a shame for me that I wanted to get off the ship…” Satková admitted.
Terrible feelings
She finished the race bravely, but when she saw seventh place on the board at the finish line, she started crying uncontrollably. “These are terrible feelings. I have to sort it all out in my head now. Yes, it’s not about life, but I’m sad enough” she said quietly. Didn’t the fact that she started after all her rivals hurt her?
“The nerves were there. But they would have been even if I hadn’t gone last. Now it’s in the stars what would happen if… I won’t see it so bad for a while. It’s still a great result and a big win for me. When I’m old, I’ll remember participating in the Olympics more than how old I was,” she nodded.
The sister who blew her dream: She pedaled over 1,200 km!
When you smack someone, you’re supposed to follow through, no matter what you bet on. Even Gábina’s sister Martina (25), who had to cycle to Paris from Prague, knows this!
“1241.5 kilometers, six days, over 45 hours of pedaling. Three punctures, one destroyed derailleur, countless rains, but above all, endless experiences and events!’ she calculated as she finally raised her hand triumphantly under the Eiffel Tower. “It was a crazy idea, but it was worth it. Now it’s time for the main thing, we’re going to cheer!’ she reported.
Martina is also represented in water slalom, and her younger sister blew her place at the Olympics. But he doesn’t feel any resentment. “May he have many smiles at the finish line!” she wished her. Unfortunately. At the finish line, they cried together…
Sheer disappointment. Gabriela Satková finished seventh after a great qualification, and at the finish line it was hard on her.
Topics: Czech Republic, Olympics, Paris, canoeing, water slalom, sport, blitzsport, LOH24, Olympic Games, Gabriela Satková, stream