Just a week and the Olympics are here! Hungarian athletes and the public are preparing for the Games with great excitement, even if Covid deprives those who want to travel and those who live there of the on-site experiences. But we are all in God's hands!
Runner Lili Anna Tóth is also preparing for the competition. He is only twenty-two years old, but he already has many sporting successes behind him. Since he has been running, he has been among the best in his age group every year. His persistence and sense of purpose brought the young Christian athlete all the way to the Olympics, who will start the 3,000-meter steeplechase in Tokyo.
In an interview with evangelikus.hu, he said: "Not many people expected me to get out. Only my coach prepared me for the fact that this could be done. I'm the youngest of the athletes in the team, just getting out is a big deal. Of course, I will not go to the start without raising my hands, I will do everything to achieve the best possible result. I want to fight bravely and give it my all. At the same time, I don't have cramps, I want to run for joy. My main goal is to return home with a personal best. We are leaving on July 19, before that I will have two more PCR tests. The trip will be roughly one day, after which we will arrive at the training camp, and on the 26th we will go over to the Olympic village. This means that even there I will have roughly five days before the race, as the heats are on the 1st of August and the finals are on the 4th.
According to Lutheran minister Eszter Szücs, the young girl always went for a run after confirmation classes. But in addition to running, he also tried several sports, such as show jumping and horse riding. In the end, he decided to run. As he said: "I've loved running since I was little, I knew then that I wanted to do it. I am very grateful that I had this inner drive at such an early age. Of course, I was not fully aware of this at the time, it was only years later that I realized that this was my path. Many people have asked me: how can someone like running? I understand the question, as it can be difficult, especially if you are not training. At the same time, it gives me a lot of freedom. I relax and push my limits while running. And I have a great competitive spirit, which I can also live."
In the training camp/Photo: Lili Anna Tóth/corvinusonline.blog.hu
According to the young athlete, it is very important to be surrounded by people who believe in him, support him and with whom he feels comfortable. "For me, my family is a sure point, for which I am very grateful. My partner, who is also a runner, motivates and understands. Friends with whom one can relax are important, and of course the development environment. This includes the trainer, the psychologist, the physiotherapist, the masseuse and the dietician. With so many places to meet, I could be afraid of obstacles or something not going the way I want it to.
At such times, I take a deep breath and think that I will place my life in the hands of the Good Lord, and then there can be no problem.
When I'm really nervous, it always calms me down. The thought that after I've done all I can, I'll have his will. This can give me great comfort and take the burden off me," says Lili Anna Tóth!
We wish you the best of luck in your first Olympics!
Source and full article: evangelikus.hu
Featured photo: origo.hu
