MADRID, 26 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Toyota presented this Thursday in Madrid its team of athletes for Paris 2024, which will be made up of the badminton player Carolina Marín, the judoka Niko Sherazadishvili, the wheelchair tennis player Martín de la Puente and the Paralympic triathlete Eva Moral, which represents a renewal of the automobile brand’s commitment to Olympic and Paralympic sport for the next cycle, .
The CEO of Toyota in Spain, Miguel Carsi, explained that “the values of sport” are closely linked to his company and to society, and that specifically “movements such as the Olympic or Paralympic movements are an example of tremendous exponentiality”.
“We would like to work at their level and overcome all the challenges and all the difficulties they face every day to be the best in the world”, he commented during the presentation ceremony of what will be the Toyota Team at the next Olympic cycle.
The manager recalled that they began working on this project “a long time ago.” “It was a shame that the public couldn’t see what was done in Tokyo because it was spectacular, but the possibilities that arise for 2024 are impressive, we are going to deploy all the technology that we have been preparing up to this year”, explained Miguel Carsi.
For her part, the recently proclaimed European badminton champion for the sixth time, Carolina Marín, believes that life “has given her a second chance” being able to compete again at the highest level after her two serious knee injuries, although she acknowledges that his “mentality has changed” because “it is no longer just wanting to win” but his goal is also to “enjoy”.
“For me, Paris is a goal that I set for myself when I broke my knee and I continue to keep it in mind every day,” said the Huelva native, who believes that having the event on the horizon “is very important on bad days” or in that “you can’t stand it yourself” because it helps you focus. “I face it with enthusiasm, desire, motivation and for me it was unthinkable to be at such a high level because I am going to be 29 years old, I am happy to continue competing”, explained Marín.
The Andalusian stated that “to this day” she is still “surprised by many things”, such as the fact that before the European held in Madrid last April people went to her training to see her and encourage her, something she has not seen “or in Asia”. “Having this comeback and having it at home was special. Since I broke my knee I thought that I wanted to get gold in Paris 2024, at 31 years old, that being a woman and in my sport is something very complicated,” she declared.
‘SHERA’: “I’M NOT ONLY THINKING OF PARIS, BUT OF THE FOLLOWING”
Judoka Nikoloz Sherazadishvili took advantage of the event to highlight the importance of all the people behind an elite athlete. “In the results we are a team and that is how I feel. What you see on a podium, in training, only looks the same to me, but there are many people behind it, nutrition, physical preparation or sponsors like Toyota”, he assured, to which he added that he is “never alone”.
The judoka decided to change the Tokyo 2020 category, going from competing in -90 kg to competing in -100 kg. “Many people are afraid of change, but that didn’t scare me, I’ve thought about myself and how I’d be in many years. Now I’d be down to 90 kilos for another three years and that’s where the injuries would come from being below of weight and surely could endure fewer years. I’m not only thinking about these games, but in the following ones, “he said.
For his part, the paralympic tennis player Martín de la Puente, who will make history at Roland Garros alongside Daniel Caverzaschi as the first Spaniards to participate in a ‘Grand Slam’, confessed that he is already “nervous”.
“I have been watching the matches these days of Rafa Nadal, of Carlos Alcaraz and thinking that we are going to be there in a few days because it excites me a lot. Just thinking that on Saturday we are going to arrive in Paris already gives me goosebumps. Every child who starts playing tennis dreams of playing on those courts”, explained the Galician.
The man from Vigo acknowledges that he never thought “to be an example for anyone” and that he only wanted to dedicate himself to sports. “Due to my physical difficulties I had to change that idea but with help and with attempts I found chair tennis that protected me and helped me get out of disability a bit. It has given me a second chance and I am happy with how I am driving that way,” he said.
The Spanish tennis player is clear that he is always “with the knife between his teeth” on the court, but that “the smile and happiness that the team has must always be there”. Also, despite his youth, he made it clear that mentally managing what happens is very important at the highest level. “Sport has given us many joys but also the greatest sorrows of our lives,” he added.
MORAL: “IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO BE INACTIVE AT HOME”
Paralympic triathlete Eva Moral, who won a bronze at the last Olympic Games, warned that her success “was also a surprise” for her. “Among my best pools was coming with the bronze and it was a very complicated race, the weather in Tokyo was very complicated for the athletes, it was very hot,” she recalled.
The Madrilenian, after returning from the competition, became pregnant and is expecting a child shortly, but without losing sight of the next Olympic Games. “The objective was always clear, the idea we had was that when we returned from Tokyo it was to be a mother and with the goal of being in Paris 2024. Until the third month of pregnancy I continued to compete, and on merit, because for us it is more difficult being at home inactive than training,” he said.
The triathlete, who suffered a serious accident that left her in a wheelchair, reviewed what the road has been for her. “At that moment you think that your life is over and that you will never be able to do what you like again. But look at me, eight years ago I was there and now I have a Paralympic medal,” said Eva Moral.
