Figure skater Gustavo Ribeiro said this Sunday that he is mentally and physically ready to go to the 2024 Paris Olympics to win a medal, preferably a gold one, demonstrating the motivation and confidence he feels.
At Lisbon airport, before boarding his flight to the French capital, Gustavo Ribeiro spoke to journalists with a smile on his face and with strong support from his family and friends who wished him success in his last races, always with a podium finish.
“I wouldn’t say it puts more pressure on me, but I feel like there are more eyes on me. Honestly, I like the pressure, I feel like I can do better. I feel pretty prepared and the goal is to bring home a medal,” he said.
The 23-year-old from Almadén wants, above all, to enjoy the Olympic experience, the three years of preparation that culminates in this moment, although he wants to “try to go in with an empty head and think that this is a championship like all the others.”
“I feel like the last few rounds have been great. I’ve managed to stay on the podium in almost all of them. Every time I look back, it gives me even more motivation and confidence. Let’s try to bring home another podium,” highlighted the eighth-place finisher at Tokyo 2020.
The Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) is targeting four medals at Paris 2024, matching the number achieved at the last edition, and Gustavo Ribeiro believes Olympic officials are counting on him to reach that number in the French capital.
“I will try to do my best and I will be motivated to win. I feel that I am capable and all the athletes there will be capable, but the one who is more mentally prepared will be able to win the tournament.” I have been working on my mental health for several years. In Tokyo, I was not as mentally prepared, but now I am in shape and want to bring home gold,” assured the figure skater, who took seventh place in the world rankings.
The men’s street race, in which the Portuguese will take part, will take place next Saturday, the day after the opening ceremony, which will take place during the holiday.
“I would love to go to the opening ceremony, but my competition is the next day. The ceremony will last a few hours, and I will stay in the Olympic village so as not to kill my body. I will give my legs and head a rest so that I will be as prepared as possible for the next day,” he emphasized, also promising new maneuvers that may surprise.
Gustavo Ribeiro said that in his suitcase he carries some memories of previous skateboarding stages, good and bad, as well as some amulets around his neck, one of which was given to him by his sister to bring him luck at the Games: “Now this necklace, in a week a medal.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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