FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Present yesterday at the "Vlora Cross Country", an event organized by the Albanian Athletics Federation, Luiza Gega has returned to talk about the disappointment suffered at the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games, where she could not qualify for the finals.
In an interview for "Panorama Sport", the icon of Albanian athletics describes the current period as a period of reflection, while emphasizing that he has no intention of retiring, and is ready to break other records, as he set the most recent one on Sunday passed in the Prishtina Marathon. Gega also has a message for young people, as he advises them to work hard, because only with work can you achieve results.
Luiza, returning once again to the Olympics, how do you describe the participation in Paris?
If we talk about me as an athlete at the Olympic Games, the performance was not where I wanted it to be, but the sport is like that, you are not always going to be in the best shape. That's the beauty of sports that has so much excitement, as you never know the end.
What happened to you in that race?
In the month of April, I had a virus that greatly affected my performance, since I train for the limits, to see where my limits are, and sometimes this affects too much. It may seem like a small thing, but it has a lot to do with an athlete's performance. I was training hard, even with a virus, because the race was approaching, time was getting limited. This caused my biological parameters to drop. One of the reasons why I live in the mountains is to increase my red blood cells and hemoglobin as much as possible, and it is called natural doping for us distance athletes. But the virus destroyed this part of me and it caused me not to pick myself up for the level I was looking for in the Olympics.
Are you upset by this situation?
I was definitely very upset, primarily because of the fatigue I have been doing for years. It's not just about the final months. But sport has these, I have nothing to do.
What are your goals going forward?
For me this is a period of reflection. I haven't set any goals yet, because I had a personal disappointment about the Olympics, so I want to think about it a little longer, once you set goals you have to be psychologically ready. You have to be ready for the sacrifices that the objectives require, training in the mountains, away from family, away from social life. So elite sport has a lot of sacrifice.
Have you considered withdrawal?
I have a hard time pulling back when I'm breaking records. A few days ago I broke the marathon record. Maybe I can see myself road racing in the future, but at a later date. Now I cannot say what I have decided for the future. Anyway, I'm enjoying this part because I'm a little freer and I have the opportunity to come and meet children as I am today (yesterday) here in Vlora. I am very happy that they love me so much. The love I received from people is the most beautiful thing that sport has given me to have an example of inspiration, not necessarily in the field of sports, but with effort and sacrifice they succeed. Albania has many opportunities for the development of sports.
What are you waiting for something close?
I expect that next year I will set a new record in the Vlora marathon, maybe in 10 km or 21 km I will set it. I really wish that this tradition continues here in Vlora.
What is your message to the youth?
I have achieved great things and it has all come thanks to work. I didn't think I would achieve them, but with work they are achieved. Albania and our young people have the potential to reach international levels. They must understand that everything is achieved with hard work and a very iron discipline, as sport requires, but that nothing is impossible. The emotion that sports gives you and these benefits that it has are countless. It's health, we need a population as bright as possible.
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