‘It’s all my pleasure that I gladdened Belarus’ told Julia Leontyuk

Today on March 7, the Belarusian shot-putter Julia Leontyuk won a silver medal on the European Athletics Championship 2015 in Prague. Her feelings of this solemn moment she shared with www.noc.by.

-    On my way to Prague I was ready to fight up to the finals. I was going to throw the shot no less than for 18.80 - 20.00 meters. It would guarantee my victory. I almost did it. But 18.60 meters were enough to be awarded a silver medal. The Hungarian athlete Marton set a national record and I’m sure she deserves a gold one. But I’ll try to beat her in future.

-    She was your principal rival?
-    Obviously. We often compete with alternant success. Next time I’ll take a rematch. It goes without saying that I’m so delighted to win a silver medal. I had a long break in my training when I tried boating for a while. After all I had to start from scratch. I’ve succeeded - morally it’s very important for me. It’s far more significant if take into consideration that my teammates and federation believed in me. Traditionally Belarus is rich in gifted shot-putters, that’s why our supporters count on our victory and medals. I am glad that my country and coaches Ludmila and Dmitry Kunats appreciate my achievement.

Anastasia Marynina, Prague.
Photos by NOC of Belarus.

Translated by Alexey Tulko, 4th year, the Interpreters Department, MSLU.