Kotryna Teterevkova planned to quietly watch the remaining European Championship swims from the stands as the competition in Paris this week was coming to an end.
One of Lithuania’s best swimmers promised to cheer for Ruta Meilutyte in the 50m breaststroke final on Sunday evening, and she herself no longer planned to swim, as she missed the final eight in the semifinals by 0.08 seconds.
However, it so happened that K. Teterevkova shared 9th-10th positions in the semifinal with Russian Ralina Giliazova, who recorded an identical time – 30.55 seconds.
According to the rules, the swimmer who took ninth place is considered the first reserve athlete, who would enter the final if any of the top eight swimmers refused to swim in the final for any reason.
At first, K. Teterevkova thought that would be the end of it, perhaps she would only need to appear before the competition organizers on Sunday before the final so they could call her if a spot unexpectedly opened up in the final – which happens very rarely.
But then the news came that she would have to compete in a swim-off against R. Giliazova late Saturday evening, after all the events of that day had finished.
The stands began to empty as the two swimmers jumped back into the pool, this time racing one-on-one.
Then both swimming specialists and journalists in Paris grabbed their heads – the swimmers swam identically for the second time in a row – this time faster, but both again exactly in 30.43 seconds.
“At first I touched the wall, I see one light is on, and I thought, okay. Then I see: both are on. I no longer understand what is happening,” recalled K. Teterevkova about the finish moment. “Everyone is shouting.
But it’s interesting what will happen next?”
Soon it became clear what would happen next: the swimmers will compete one-on-one in the pool once again, and the second additional duel will take place on Sunday at noon after all the morning heats.
K. Teterevkova admitted that she wants to win against her opponent, who represents Russia, a country waging war in Ukraine for the fifth year.
“Maybe now the point is not the result, but the victory. Beating the Russian swimmer is an even greater motivation,” said K. Teterevkova.
Despite the bombs thrown so far on Ukrainian cities and people, over 40 representatives of the aggressor country are competing at the European Championship in Paris.
The championship is also covered by a group of Russian journalists, usually representing Kremlin propaganda channels.
K. Teterevkova said she would try to stay calm and focus on swimming, having prepared physically and psychologically. And not to be too tense, because in sporting terms this competition with R. Giliazova does not guarantee a ticket to the final.
“To me, it seems like a lottery. The 50-meter event is always like a lottery, it was just hard to swim at 10 p.m.,” said K. Teterevkova.
In total, on Saturday she had to swim the 50m breaststroke three times, as there were heats in the morning where she placed 16th (R. Meilutyte was third both in the semifinal and the heats).
“It’s good that we are fighting not for 8th place, but for 9th, otherwise it would be a mess before the final. But it’s interesting how it will all end,” K. Teterevkova looked curiously at the duel.
When most swimmers have already finished their performances at the European Championship, and there are few starts left on Sunday, the question arises whether it is worth competing further for the reserve spot at all.
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However, K. Teterevkova will choose not excursions to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, but the same pool.
“Of course I will come – the Lithuanian swimmer promised to participate again in the swim-off. – Everything was seen during the Olympic Games, so now it’s just – apparently meant to swim.”
