Wikinews interviews Spanish Paralympic swimmer Marta Gómez

Wikinews interviews Marta Gomez.
Image: Laura Hale.

Marta Gomez at Madrid–Barajas Airport yesterday
Image: Laura Hale.

Sunday, August 11, 2013 

Thursday at Madrid–Barajas Airport, Wikinews interviewed Spanish Paralympic swimmer Marta Gomez, who is scheduled to compete at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships that start on Monday in Montreal, Canada.

((Wikinews)) This is Laura Hale, I'm interviewing Marta Gómez, a Spanish Paralympic swimmer going to the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal. Are you going to Montreal and what strokes and distances are you competing in?

Marta Gomez : I'll swim the 100 meter and 400 freestyle, and the 200 individual medley. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Voy a nadar los 100 [metros] y 400 libres, y los 200 estilo giro.}

((WN)) Have you won any medals at previous championships? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍¿Vas a ganar alguna medalla?}

Marta Gomez : In 2011, at the European Championships in Berlin, I won 3 bronze. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍En Europeo 2011, en Berlín, gané 3 bronces.}

((WN)) Do you think you will win any medals in Montreal? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍¿Tienes medalla en Montreal?}

Marta Gomez : I will try to fight for a medal in the 400 freestyle which is my main event, but, well, [if I swim well and feel well] my options are clearer, but until you swim nothing is clear. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Voy a intentar luchar por la medalla en el 400 libres que es mi prueba principal, pero bueno, hay que ¿sentir? y nadarlos; la ¿? serán mis opciones más claras, pero hasta que no se nade no hay nada claro.}

((WN)) You've competed at previous Paralympic Games? In London?

Marta Gomez : Yes. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Sí.}

((WN)) And you didn't win any medals?

Marta Gomez : No, I didn't win any medals. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍No. Fui de cima en Londres.}

((WN)) What's the difference preparing for London to the World Championships? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍¿Cuál es la diferencia de la preparación para Londres para el Campeonato del Mundo?}

Marta Gomez : That I have improved many aspects of technical level [like?] performance, and especially the psychological aspect that after London I have faced other competitions and I feel much more confident about myself and I have become more competitive. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Que yo he mejorado muchos aspectos tanto a nivel de técnica como de rendimiento, y sobre todo el aspecto psicológico que a raíz de Londres he afrontado las competiciones de otra manera y me siento mucho más segura de mí misma y me he vuelto más competitiva.}

((WN)) Are you a swimmer with a visual impediment? You cannot see...? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍-¿De qué categoría eres?}

Marta Gomez : S13. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍S13.}

((WN)) When you swim, can you see the swimmers next to you? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍¿Cuando nadas, se puede ver a los nadadores a tu lado?}

Marta Gomez : Depending on the race, you will always be able to — some races like in short distances like the 100 meter breaststroke and 100 meter freestyle as it is too short to lose sight of your rivals, but for example in 400 meters, yes, but I can only see from the sides. I cannot see all the swimmers. In the 800 meters, seeing swimmers in the race is impossible: I fail to see them. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Depende de la prueba, siempre va... la de velocidad en pruebas cortas... por ejemplo en 100 [metros] brazas y 100 libres al ser tan cortas no vas tan pendiente de los rivales, pero por ejemplo en 400 sí que puedo ver más pero solamente a las que tengo a los lados, no puedo ver a todas las nadadoras, a las 8 nadadoras de la serie es imposible, no alcanzo a verlas.}

((WN)) When you swim, do you mostly think about your own race because you cannot fully see everyone? Do you race more against yourself because you can not see? ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍¿Nadas más contigo misma o por no poder ver? ¿más tu prueba?}

Marta Gomez : Yes, of course. Not being able to see your rivals you have to concentrate on your event because you may have nobody to [watch?], you may have a slight reference but you have to swim against yourself. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Sí, claro. Al no poder ver a las rivales te tienes que ¿dedicar? a hacer tu prueba porque no tienes a lo mejor a nadie en quién fijarte, puedes tener una ligera referencia pero tienes que nadar tu prueba y nadar contigo misma.}

((WN)) Why did you choose swimming as opposed to athletics or Goalball or some other sport?

Marta Gomez : I have only practiced swimming since childhood, I've always liked the water and it's been the only sport I've practiced because I think it's a sport where you feel a lot of freedom and don't have any architectural barriers or anything. ^{((es))Spanish language: ‍Yo solo he practicado la natación desde pequeña, siempre me ha gustado mucho el agua y ha sido el único deporte que he practicado porque me parece un deporte en que sientes mucha libertad y no tienes ningún tipo de barreras arquitectónicas ni nada.}

((WN)) Gracías. ^{((en))Spanish language: ‍Thank you.}

Marta Gomez : De nada. ^{((en))Spanish language: ‍You're welcome.}

External Links

• 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships