Swansea 2014 - Flashquotes day 3

Read here what the athletes said after day 3 of the Swansea 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships 21 Aug 2014
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Man celebrating, wearing a red jacket

Aled Davies wins the shot put T42 in front of his home crowds at Swansea 2014

ⒸSporting Wales
By IPC

“It’s funny how when you win a medal and stand on the podium you soon forget all the bad memories of hard graft and all the months of training.”

Men's 800m T54 Final

Winner: Marcel Hug (SUI) 1:37.77s

“I’m really happy with the race – it was a good race and a very good end for me.

“It was difficult in the rain and it was very slippery for us.

“The Championships have been great and Swansea has put on a very good show.”

Women's 800m T54 Final

Winner: Manuela Schaer (SUI) 2:00.93s

“I was very nervous when I saw the weather and it started to rain. I had a little problem at the start with my grip but I’m really glad that I could come through and win.

“It’s not a good time but that’s ok – it’s all about winning the medals and it’s my first European title at this distance which is very special.

“It’s been very good Championships for me and I’m looking forward to compete again in two days.”

Women's 800m T53 Final

Winner: Samantha Kinghorn (GBR) 2:18.40s

“I can’t quite believe it. it doesn't feel real. It will take a few weeks to get used to it. It was a petty tough race today. I was trying to think how to get round her. I sneaked into the inside and was really glad to get through. It was quite scary doing it that way. I made a few sneaky moves out to the side which made her think I was going round. I had planned to do half the work but she really took most of the race until the final straight. it is difficult when there are only two in the race - you really have to block in and focus.

"It's been a crazy few days but I have tried to focus while still enjoying it and taking it all in. Thanks so much to all who have supported me."

Women's long jump T42 Final

Winner: Vanessa Low (GER) 4.24m

“I can do a lot more but considering the conditions I’m happy. The mix of wind and rain made it difficult.

“I am the word record holder so I was very confident coming in to the competition but it’s always nice to beat the world champion.

“I switched my coach about a year ago and I wasn’t sure that was the right decision, but the hard work is paying off.

“I’m looking forward to going back to training and I also think I can become the 100m world champion.”

Women’s 800m T53 Final

Winner: Sammi Kinghorn (GBR) 2:18.40

I’m ecstatic, I just can’t believe it. I came here just to do my best and see what happens and that what happens turned into three gold medals. It's been a crazy few days but I have tried o focus while still enjoying it and taking it all in. Thanks so much to all who have supported me.

I was trying to think how to get round her (Hamide Kurt). I sneaked into the inside and was really glad to get through. It was quite scary doing it that way. I made a few sneaky moves out to the side which made her think I was going round. I had planned to do half the work but she really took most of the race until the final straight. It is difficult when there are only two in the race - you really have to block in and focus.

Men's shot put F35 Final

Winner: Alexander El’Min (RUS) 12.45m

“Obviously I’m very happy to win the gold medal but I had four foul throws. If I could have had a few more legal throws I think I could have thrown much further.

“Overall I am satisfied with my performance.”

Men's 200m T34 Final

Winner: Henry Manni (FIN) 30.47s

“It was raining very heavily and it was very wet but I’m from Finland and I am used to it – I really like it that way and always race well.

“The Championships are going very well for me so I’m looking forward to the 400m”

Men's 200m T44 Final

Winner: Felix Streng (GER) 22.93s

“We came out of the inside warm up area next to the track and all seemed ok. But then we came into the cold and rain. The track was very wet so not the best conditions but I told myself it was the same for everyone and I must make the best of it.

“I really enjoyed it – it was fun with a great atmosphere.”

Men's shot put F42 Final

Winner: Aled Davies (GBR) 13.66m

It was a change for me because in the Commonwealth Games I competed in the discus so my focus was all on that but it’s good to get the win. The competition is normally a higher standard than today, not many people brought their ‘A’ games but neither did I, it was an ugly win but I am pleased with the victory.

It was lovely to come back home after Glasgow and win a medal in my own back yard. The British team is doing very well which is great to see and from a personal point of view it’s good to get the win as I work towards Rio.”

Women's 200m T44 Final

Winner: Marlou Van Rhijn (NED) 26.89

“It feels so good – the 200m is definitely my favourite event so I really wanted to win this one.

“I was a bit tired after the 100m yesterday but I was determined to do well. I’m delighted with the gold.

“I love competing in the UK it’s definitely my favourite place to compete.

“The Championships have had a real professional feel to them just like the able-bodied Championships in Zurich.

“I’ve made some changes to my training so I’m looking forward to getting even faster in the future.”

Men's 200m T37 Final

Winner: Andrey Vdovin (RUS) 23.23s

“It was a personal best and I am pleased to replicate my best performances across the 100m and 200m. I’m very happy.”

Women's 200m T35 Final

Winner: Maria Lyle (GBR) 31.05

I'm really happy and I'm glad all the hard work paid off. I just want to thank everyone for helping me. I just need to keep training like I always do and working hard.

Conditions weren’t as great today, it was cold and windy but I’m happy with how I performed.

The crowd were great – it was so loud down the home straight.

Men's 200m T12 Final

Winner: Jason Smyth (IRL) 21.67s

“I’m delighted and over the moon. I came to the Championships for two gold medals so it’s nice to stand here knowing that’s what I’ve done.

“Conditions have not been good all week but to be so close, first and foremost it’s important to win. Nothing comes better than the 100m a few days ago.

“It’s a really good time for Irish Paralympics and Irish sport since Michael and I got on the scene in 2005 – let’s hope it continues to be successful.

“It’s funny how when you win a medal and stand on the podium you soon forget all the bad memories of hard graft and all the months of training.”

Men's 200m T11 Final

Winner: Tomothee Adolphe (FRA) 23.90s

“We are really happy with the performance, the rain made things quite difficult. The time is not important it’s more important to win.

“It was a very tight finish, we had to push until the very end to make sure that we got the victory.

Men's 5000m T11 Final

Winner: Nuno Alves (POR) 16.10.72

“It was a tough race but a good race. We had our tactics to bide our time in the first half of the race and kick on in the second half and it worked well.

“It’s always pleasing to run a season’s best time and we have even higher expectations for the World Championships next year.

“We can go faster but we have to take things step-by-step. We expected to win after getting bronze in the World Championships last year and we are very happy.”