Marina Damlaimcourt is an extraordinary triathlete both on a human and sporting level. With an overwhelming sporting record, she has proven to be an Olympian in every way in her own right and not only because of her more than successful time at the London 2012 Olympic Games in which she achieved a twenty-fourth position, but also for being a national benchmark. and international in the field of triathlon; one of the most demanding sports, where physical and mental strength is put to the test and where only a few show us the greatness of those people who grow up facing the most difficult challenges.
Marina is a unique triathlete who thrives on challenges, with a record that reminds us how lucky we are to have this great quality athletes in Spain: 24ª JJ.OO London (2012), Iberoamericana triathlon champion (2009) champion of Spain Triathlon (2008), champion Cup Germany (2004), 2 times champion Spain Aquathlon (2004, 2010), champion of Spain Duathlon (2000) and a very extensive list of authentic deeds of which Damlaimcourt has demonstrated will continue to position the Spanish sport on top.
Recently, it has proclaimed champion known as "triathlon triathlete" in Fuente Alamo Grand-Prix Melones Grampa which has again demonstrated why it is a champion in every way, today we share moments, talk, life and much more Marina Damlaimcourt, tomorrow we would like to share with you.
The triathlon is for you ...
A way of life. I have been practicing it for many years and even if I later retire as a "professional" triathlete, I will continue to swim, bike and run in a more or less demanding way, because that is what I like to do and what makes me feel good. I will also do mountain sports and cross-country skiing, hiking, etc ...
Triathlon right now is my day to day 🙂
What he represented to you your way through the London Olympics 2012?
Since I was little my passion has been sports in general. Actually my dream was to go to a gymnastics Olympics, in fact when I was little I was a Madrid champion of rhythmic gymnastics hehe. So being in London was living my dream live, albeit in triathlon.
It was an amazing experience and greatly enjoyed throughout the race.
It was the reward for many years of work. What is really important has been everything I've learned along the way to reach the goal, sport, people and life in general.
A dream you want to meet ...
One of my dreams, which was to live an Olympic Games as an athlete, I have already fulfilled. Well, to be honest, as a child my dream was to be, nothing less than "Olympic champion" !!!
Today, being happy and enjoying everyday life is worth it to me, I am not a materialistic person who wants not much money or a big house or a big car ... I have goals and challenges, of course, but without a doubt the main one is to enjoy the day by day and be happy. And I don't need great things to be happy, to be able to do sports and four other things.
What feeling prevails in your heart when you're competing?
Well, it is very difficult to answer this question, since what one feels varies a lot depending on different factors (how the race takes place, in what physical or mental conditions do you present yourself to compete ...). What is certain is that in competition and when you are giving 100% whatever it is, you feel it much more intense.
I have felt many things, frustration, recognition, satisfaction, anger, joy, disappointment, fun ... but all squared.
Motivation is maintained by ...
small challenges, goals, projects or new levels to conquer that you're dialing the short, medium or long term. It is well marked a goal, without obsessing, to motivate days .No one has less desire to lose sight of that goal excites you, makes hard days pass better.
A sporting challenge that you would love to achieve ...
Getting a good level now in the middle distance and to be among the best athletes of this modality. I come from the Olympic distance, it is another format, and it's not easy, but today with the changes undergone triathlon mode is the best I can adapt living triathlon.
So to live triathlon (either as an athlete or as a coach), it would be another big challenge for me because it is what I like.
To get these 2 challenges, I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm on it.
What do you feel when you cross the finish line?
Satisfaction generally, because regardless of the result or how the race has passed, you can be more or less happy, but the satisfaction of reaching the goal or finishing what you had proposed, no one takes away from you.
pending issues that have triathlon in Spain
Speaking from my perspective that it is that of a professional triathlete, the truth is that I think that the position in which the few triathlon professionals in Spain find ourselves is complicated. I do not think that you have to ask for scholarships, or subsidies or anything, but I believe that it is the image and results of the professional triathlete that should create the prestige that allows you to continue living from this thanks to the investment-return relationship of a company of the athlete. Here there is a lot of fear on the part of commercial houses of sponsorship and also with the internet and social networks a lot of confusion is being generated. Many companies have stopped investing in the true professional either due to ignorance or because there are athletes who sell what they are not. In my case, that I have traveled a lot, outside is more aware of who is the professional in which companies invest, here everything is a bit confused and mixed, and many companies do not know who they really sponsor.
At an amateur level, I think that organizations are getting it right in almost all cases (there are always exceptions), in general there is a very good treatment, and it's great because it is really the amateur who makes the event grow from below. There are mythical triathlons (Zarautz, Fuente Álamo, Buelna, Cuenca, Pálmaces, Guadalajara ...) that continue to cause a sensation and also now new ones are appearing with very good manners, the truth is that there is a great variety to choose from for almost all triathlon modalities .