Rio 2016. M. Makhneva:"Our tactics was to try maximum of our abilities"

Today on August 20 the Belarusian quartet of Maryna Litvinchuk, Volha Khudzenka, Marharyta Makhneva and Nadzeya Liapeshka won a bronze medal in Women’s Kayak Four heat. They covered 500-m distance third, having lost to the opponents from Hungary and Germany.

The team shared their emotions and impressions with the media representatives.

“I appreciate this medal, because it’s the Olympic one. To tell the truth, we all wished a gold. Nevertheless I’m happy, as well as my teammates”.

“We saw the same picture in Rio as it was in London – the Belarus’ third place, the Hungarian and German teams are first and second”.

“The difference is that last time my team took a bronze without my participation. By the way, Hungary and Germany have always been undisputable leaders in Canoe Sprint. As an oarswomen I assure you we could have jerked, but our rivals could have done the same – the reason is that they were a little more motivated. We were suppressed by suspension of our Men’s team. It’s a tough psychological burden. We lacked advice from coaching staff, though they we were always in contact with us through the Internet and phones. However, we are professionals, this fact obliges us to do our best, regardless of our state of mind”.

“How Maryna Litvinchuk’s heat affected you? She was about to win, but she lacked stamina at the finish. Did you correct you tactics?”

“We didn’t follow the plan of staying in shadow or lead the race. The plan was simple – we were to try maximum of our abilities. What concerns Maryna, we rooted for her in Single and Nadzeya Liapeshka in Double on the spectators stand”.

“Was it difficult emotionally?”

“When we are all together in the boat, we feel less nervous than sitting on the stand. Now we understand what our coach experiences as a spectator”.

“Your team looks inspired. I guess, we can anticipate main starts in future?”

“The medal made us believe in ourselves. Besides, we were exhausted by constant preparation for the events and didn’t have enough time to get acquainted with Rio. We persuade ourselves that’s over, but it’s not the case – tomorrow we would start again for new competitions”.

“Do you have in plan to conquer the Olympic gold in Tokyo?”

“Well, since we haven’t managed to do it this time, we have to try again. I think every of our quartet will plan her personal schedule, with reference to events calendar and householding matters. Thus, the Olympic gold remains our beacon”. 

Text by Uladzimir Zdanovich
Photo by Aliaksandr Semianiaka