Assya Maurin-Espiau (17 years old) ended her first Paralympic Games on the verge of tears. The swimmer from Landes failed to qualify for the final of the 100m backstroke (category S14, intellectual disability) by finishing fifth in her series, this Friday. A failure that she cannot digest after having missed out on winning a medal during these Games in the 200m freestyle (13th), 100m breaststroke (5th) and 200m medley (11th).
“I don’t even know why I’m here”
“I haven’t been at my level at these Games, since the beginning,” she declared, very moved, on France Télévisions. “It was my last swim, I wanted to have fun but once again, it’s not happening. It didn’t happen for the 200m medley, it didn’t happen for the 200m. I’m not satisfied with what I did, I don’t even know why I’m here. I deserve to be here, I’m in my place but nothing comes out.”
“I’m not at my level, I’m useless. I’m useless in this competition.”
Comforted by the journalist, Assya Maurin-Espiau tried to look ahead to the future without managing to shake off the wave of regrets that overwhelmed her. “I’m gaining experience, I’m young, these are my first Games, they won’t be the last but at home, there won’t be any others, with a crowd like that either,” she concluded. “I really wanted to give it my all at these Games. I was ready but it’s not coming out. I’ll be there at the next ones.”
- RMC Sport
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