Fourth, then third, then fourth again, but then third again, and so on to the finish line. Natalia Kaczmarek in spectacular style she won the bronze Olympic medal in Paris in the 400 m. And although she regretted not having a personal best, she was happy and proud. Once again this season she showed cosmic form.
Press and radio journalists had to wait quite a long time for Kaczmarek in the interview zone. But such minor inconveniences are forgiven to the bronze Olympic medalist. – It's only slowly sinking in. When I ran up, I knew I was third, but I had to see my name on the board. I think I'll only feel it when I hold the medal in my hands – she noted.
She had previously won two Olympic medals in relays from Tokyo, but she doesn't hide the fact that the one she won individually is the one she's longed for, the one that will remind her of the path she's taken.
The competitors ran in the rain. Kaczmarek admits that if the track had been dry and a bit warmer, she would have set a new personal record. Despite the emotionally difficult two previous races. So was the rain not a concern for her at all?
– I thought my makeup would smudge and that was my only problem really. Because I knew I could handle the conditions – she says, showing great self-confidence.
She also hopes that this medal will stop anyone from questioning the results of her cooperation with coach Marek Rożej. The athlete does not hide how important he is to her.
– Sometimes we argue, but overall we understand each other well. I know he cares about my well-being, we have common goals and he would never sacrifice me for any other goal of his – emphasizes Kaczmarek.
This Olympic bronze is the culmination of a sensational season for the 26-year-old, who set a sensational Polish record in the summer. And as she herself recalls, she did it when she didn't expect it at all. Now she doesn't hide it – she is very proud of herself. However, when she is experiencing the best moments of her career, her fiancé and close friends are facing a crisis. And the crisis is often followed by harsh criticism and hate messages.
– I experience it with them. Sometimes I don't understand fans. I know they demand more. I try not to read comments after my races, but I saw a few after my semi-final race – someone wrote that I ran poorly. Those expectations went up a bit cosmos. I am a bit surprised. You can't win medals all the time. Everyone pays for it sooner or later with their health or a drop in form. I would like people to remember that. You could also expect that after Tokyo – where our sports was a huge success – it will be worse. Because it is impossible to runjump for several years at the highest level. Because no organism can withstand it – she argued.
Now she plans to have a few more relaxed starts. Next season is supposed to be more relaxed. – I don't know if I'll run 400 m at all. We'll work more with the coach on speed. I talked to psychologists and other people – a year after the Olympics, where there was a lot of pressure, a lot of hard work, you have to let go, regenerate.