Fatoumata Diallo realised her dream of reaching the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, but the Portuguese athlete believes she can still get closer to her national record.
“I’m very happy. I was a little nervous, but it has nothing to do with the competition, because I love racing with the best, I love being here. It was more about myself, I didn’t want to touch the barrier, fall, I don’t control my nerves, I do some nonsense, I’m not at the right height, but I’m very happy, the dream is coming true,” said the 20-year-old Portuguese.
Fatoumata Diallo secured a direct spot in the 400m hurdles semi-finals at Paris 2024 this Sunday after finishing second in her first round series.
“The goal was the semi-finals, I achieved it. Now it’s time to continue to achieve more to reach the final,” he said.
The national record holder with a time of 54.65, the Portuguese newcomer was close to her best on Sunday, running 54.75, and was only bettered in her series by Jamaica’s Rashelle Clayton (54.32).
In a race where the top three from each heat and the remaining top three finishers qualified directly to the semi-finals (the rest will compete in repechage events), Diallo set the 11th best finish, which opens up good prospects for improving his record.
“I can do it. Now let’s see, every journey is different, the competition is different, but I hope to leave here not with regret, but rather saying, ‘I gave it my all, I’m not leaving here with regret.’ I want that to happen,” she said when asked if she could break this Sunday’s record.
The Portuguese athlete admitted she would be nervous in the semi-final, scheduled for 20:07 local time (19:07 Lisbon) on Tuesday, saying it was “normal” but that she had learned more about herself in these tests “with big names”.
“We have to control our nerves because the job is already done. Nothing changes here. We just have to control it, get the most out of it,” he defended himself.
For Diallo, his Olympic debut in Paris, where he lives, has a special flavor.
“I live close to here [do Stade de France]”It’s like being at home. My whole family is here. I wanted to show them why I sacrifice myself every day, why I work. And I haven’t trained for anything for four years,” he admitted.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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