The Pan American Games will begin next Friday in Santiago, Chile, and the Argentine delegation, made up of 522 athletes, will try to improve the fifth place achieved in Lima, Peru, four years ago.
In that group of competitors is the paddler Sabrina Ameghino, who at 43 years old will carry the national flag along with the rugby player Marcos Moneta, at the inaugural party that will be held at the National stadium.
The Ensenada native and Vera’s mother acknowledges that every time the day approaches “the nerves get more intense.” “It’s a tremendous pride, and the truth is I’m a little scared of the responsibility. I hope I can make it as neat and dignified as possible. I’m very proud of the person (Moneta) who is going to accompany me,” Ameghino told Página /12 during the talk in the Palermo neighborhood.
Ameghino in full action. Image: Twitter
The experience she acquired in her career does not allow the protagonist to compare the feeling that being the standard bearer of an event of this magnitude causes her. “This has nothing to do with being in the water, which is already done automatically. With a dynamic and a preparation process before each competition. I have never done this and I didn’t even expect it. I never thought I would to choose me as the standard bearer. I have a lot of mixed feelings inside. For me it’s going to be magical, and I hope it turns out in the best way,” she explains.
The protagonist is the woman with the most medals won in Argentine history. Santiago 2023 will be its sixth Pan American Games. She debuted in Winnipeg 1999; in Santo Domingo 2003 she won two bronze medals (K2 500 and K4 500); In Guadalajara 2011 she obtained silver in K2 500, bronze in K1 200 and sixth place in K4 500; and in Toronto 2015 she won the silver medal in K2 500 and two bronze medals in K1 200 and K4 500.
However, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games are the ones that have a special meaning for Ameghino: there she became the first Argentine paddler to be crowned Pan American champion (K1 200), and she also won bronze in K4 500.
Ameghino, at the South American level, became champion with all the boats in which she competed, winning eight gold medals. In Brazil 2002 he won the K2 200, K2 500, K2 1000, K4 200 and K4 500 competitions. In Santiago 2014 he won the K4 500 and, last year, in Asunción 2022 he did the same in K1 200 and K2 500. For This positions her as the Argentine with the most medals in history.
“That my daughter (Vera) – continues Ameghino – sees me carrying the Argentine flag is very strong. She always told me that she believed in me, and that I deserve what is happening to me. She is going to see me on television, and “Then he will accompany me to the Games. These games in Santiago are going to have a lot of personal spices.”
Ameghino with the team’s official clothing. Image: COA Press
The paddler competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, where she placed 13th in the K4 500 and 18th in the K1 200. In any case, she clarifies that she is no longer thinking “about the Paris Games next year. I don’t have the desire to put my body up for that demand. I am a 43-year-old woman, and I don’t want to expose myself to the physical pain that that means. If the girls get the place it will be a source of pride, and we will be well represented. But I no longer “I am for that sacrifice. I will continue rowing for the Odesur Games, and perhaps for other Pan American Games.”
The high competition, little by little, begins to move away for Ameghino, and he highlights that when the Pan American Games end he will analyze “the future. The idea is to continue competing, not to leave the team behind, although I already want to hang up my racket more than anyone else.” thing, ha.”
The parade and lighting of the cauldron in the Chilean capital are getting closer. For Sabrina Ameghino it will not be the same as the previous ones that she had to live through. The meaning of carrying the Argentine flag will place Friday night in an indelible place for her.
2023-10-17 03:01:00
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