Saul Craviotto as one of the best canoe sprinters in the world always goes to competitions with the highest goals. Winner of four Olympic medals is believed to be the first candidate for the Spanish flag bearer at the upcoming Olympic Games according to the words of Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic committee.
35-year-old paddler who gained Spanish popularity status not only with sporting success but also by winning celebrity edition of Masterchef talked about the upcoming challenges in an interview for Mundo Deportivo.
In the interview he pointed out that he will not go to Tokyo with a wish for any medal, he has set his eyes on gold, “We are not going to Tokyo for the medal, we are going for gold. It is true that we are vice world champions, behind the Germans, but for a very few thousandths of a second, so we are there, opting for that medal and I think we can get it,” said Craviotto.
As mentioned before, Craviotto is considered to be the main candidate to lead the Spanish team at the Opening Ceremony of the Games, “I would love it and it would be a pride. I would be very excited. The most that an Olympic athlete can aspire to is to win a gold at the Games and then be the flag bearer for your country. It is the maximum, the greatest, is the top. I was already an Olympic champion in Beijing and Rio, and I would like to repeat it in Tokyo and if I am also a flag bearer, it would be to close a dream sports career. It is the dream of any athlete.”
Saul is with four Olympic medals one of the most successful sportsmen in his country, former sprinter David Cal has five Olympic medals in his collection, which makes him the most successful Spanish Olympian, “It is not in my thoughts to match or exceed him in the number of Olympic medals. Regardless of whether I succeed, for me David Cal is number 1, he is the one who has overcome the fear of canoeists from winning, he did it in Athens 2004 and for me he has always been a benchmark, a mirror where to look at myself. Even if I overcome it, it does not matter, David Cal will always be number 1.”
And what will come after the Games? “I don't dare put a date. I will see after the Games and after a vacation and I will assess how I am and see whether I will continue or not. There is a German rival who is going to these Games at 39 and I am 35. It is true that the light is already seen at the end of the tunnel, but ...”
Source: https://www.mundodeportivo.com/otros-deportes/20191204/472059058700/saul-craviotto-piraguismo-jjoo-tokio2020-becas-vamos.html
6.3.2020
