R. Meilutytė repeatedly proves that she belongs to the world and European swimming elite.
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More than 14 years after her historic triumph at the London Olympics, the Kaunas native still outswims younger and hungrier athletes.
Italian Benedetta Pilato was ahead of the Lithuanian in the 50-meter sprint race at the European Swimming Championships, but R. Meilutytė’s hand was stronger – she touched the wall 0.01 seconds earlier than her opponent and won gold, her fourth at long course continental championships.
On Monday, she returned to Vilnius from Paris together with several other Lithuanian swimmers and was greeted with warm hugs from loved ones, a sea of flowers, and flashes from media cameras and photo cameras.
“First of all, it’s not about awards and medals. I am very happy to be here and very happy to have done what I could, fulfilled it as best I could,” said Rūta, returning with a gold medal. “It’s incredibly fun (to represent Lithuania – ed.). My grandmother doesn’t like the word ‘incredibly,’ but it’s very fun. Truly something fantastic.”
– How would you rate your desire to swim?
– Of course, after competitions, you get a lot of positive energy, especially when successful, so now it’s very fun, it’s a pleasure. I feel good, so it’s fun to swim.
– The other team members also performed excellently, the team is growing. What emotions do you feel knowing that young athletes who once watched you swim are now going to championships together and achieving good results?
– Yes, very cool. It’s very nice that the team is big. It’s very good to see new faces, motivated, bright. Very fun, we really have a great and very strong team.
– After the semifinal, Kotryna Teterevkova promised a cake. Did she keep her promise?
– No. You have to ask Kotryna (laughs).
– What is your future? Next year – the World Championships, the year after – the Olympic Games. Do you see yourself there, or are you only thinking about this year for now?
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– Yes, for now I don’t think too far ahead. It’s hard to say, I don’t even try to plan or try to see. It will come naturally, as it always does.
– You also showed excellent results in the 100-meter distance. Will you return to this event, or is it already closed?
– I don’t know, not necessarily. We’ll see, I’m not closing it completely.
– You mentioned missing swimming, which is why you returned to this championship. Have you had enough now, or will you participate somewhere else this year?
– Yes, yes, maybe I would participate. Swimming somehow helps to organize, discipline, makes you feel good. We’ll see, it might still be cool to travel and compete.
– We know your principled position on this issue, and Russians and Belarusians may compete with their flags in swimming competitions next year. How do you react to this?
– I think those who want to take advantage of it will find a way to do so anyway – whether they participate with flags, without flags, or don’t participate at all.
– What is swimming to you at this stage of life – just swimming, or something else?
– Good question. It really helps me to have a goal to do something, especially with mental health. I rely on swimming, those goals, as a way to help myself, to have some rhythm, a healthier life, and to exercise. Water helps me a lot. Swimming is a healing sport for me.
