“Life is about overcoming difficulties” As a doctor and as a player June 14, 16:11
While the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are approaching, the new coronavirus is not settled, and the line of sight toward the Games is becoming more and more severe.
Under these circumstances, there is a female para-athlete who is a doctor who complains that "the value of challenging the competition is higher than ever."
Why does she, who should be at the forefront of corona countermeasures and understand the reality, such as supporting the rehabilitation of corona patients in Spain, now support the holding of the Tokyo Games?
(Sports News Department Reporter Noriyuki Sakai)
“It will be a wonderful tournament”
"The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics may be different from what we had expected, but there is no doubt that it will be a wonderful one."
I didn't feel any bluff in her attitude that asserted that.
I'm Susana Rodriguez (33) from Spain.
Triathlon Women, No. 1 in the world ranking in the visually impaired class, is one of the top athletes in the Tokyo Paralympics.
Since she was born due to a mutation in a gene called albino, she has little pigment in her body and has little vision.
Nonetheless, he has continued to push his limits in the toughest competitions of swimming 750 meters, biking 20 kilometers and finally 5 kilometers.
Life changed by the Olympics and Paralympics
She says "it will be a great tournament" is not unrelated to her life as she has faced her disabilities and competition.
The origin was the Olympics that I knew when I was young.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"At the 1996 Atlanta Games, I was a 7 or 8 year old kid and played at home with my sister playing the Olympics. When I was on the podium, I decided. I was always the representative of Spain. I didn't know the existence of the Paralympics at that time, but I knew that I had a disability and was different from other children, so it's like a dream to participate in the Games. It was a good thing, but one day I lived with the desire to represent the country in my heart. "
After that, her dream of learning about the existence of the Paralympics turned into a goal.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"I visited the Sydney Paralympics in Australia with my parents when I was 12 years old. At that time, I told my mother,'I want to go to the Paralympics when I grow up.' Dreams are difficult things that only a few people can achieve, but make an effort and enjoy the sport to the fullest. ”At that time, I imagine how tough this road is. I wasn't even able to do it. "
Sixteen years later, the girl grew up, making her first Paralympic appearance at the last Rio de Janeiro Games and finishing fifth.
Before I knew it, tears overflowed in her eyes as she spoke while recalling her memories.
And he said:
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"The first challenge is always unclear until you try to see what walls are blocking your path. What may seem impossible at first is actually just difficult or complicated. There was a lot to do. "
" I was able to realize my dream of participating in the tournament last time, but I haven't got the podium yet. I want to continue to prove that everything can be overcome. is"
As a doctor
Her words, which have overcome many difficulties with extraordinary efforts, are very convincing.
However, it is completely different from the anxieties and doubts that many people now have about the Olympics and Paralympics.
Does the event really spread the infection, or does it affect general hospitals and beds?
I frankly asked how he feels this kind of public anxiety as a doctor.
Then, it was a calm word that came back.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"I think it's natural for Japanese people to be afraid of the current situation. It's very difficult to hold a tournament, and it's natural for each to have their own ideas."
She is said to be the first in Spain to qualify as a doctor despite being visually impaired.
It is said that he faced the "new coronavirus" while continuing his work as a doctor and devoting himself to triathlon.
In the early spring of last year, when the number of infected people in Spain reached the highest level in the world, she volunteered for the national infection control staff and worked as a doctor to diagnose suspected infections and investigate close contacts by telephone. Engaged in.
After that, what did she feel strongly about supporting the rehabilitation of corona patients?
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"The crisis of infection was a big challenge for humankind and the world, but I faced it with always hope. What I learned is that'health is better than anything'."
If so, isn't it difficult to have a tournament that could threaten your health?
She responded calmly to me as she fluttered.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"As a player, as a doctor, I wanted to know how the safety of tournament participants would be protected, so I read the" Playbook "that summarizes infection control measures and deepened my confidence over the past year. I think we've learned enough about how to take safe competitions. Corona measures aren't necessarily an impossible challenge. "
Even if the safety of athletes is protected, there is a risk that the safety of the people will not be protected.
She said to me as she approached me.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"There are difficult conflicts, but I think things need to be balanced. They were put in to spread hope and equality to people without thinking that the Olympics and Paralympics would rob medical resources. Can't you think of it as a resource? "
Hope and equality ...
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"There are 1 billion people with disabilities in the world, but some countries and regions are in a very difficult situation. How are we disabled at the Tokyo Paralympics? We can be strong and show the world how many things can be accomplished, so we believe that our medical resources will be put into something very important. "
Will a "winner" be born?
Her answer wasn't always convincing to me as I faced the anxiety in front of me.
However, she is now at the forefront of Corona as a doctor and is about to take the stage of the Tokyo Paralympics as a top athlete.
No one can deny her overwhelming will and effort to reach this point.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"I'm confident and happy now, and I'm confident that the tournament will be held safely in Tokyo. Holding the Corona Severe tournament is a huge challenge, but I'm always I think the big challenge is to create a winner. If there is a country that can show the winner to the world with Corona, I think it is Japan. "
And finally, I told myself to tell myself.
Susana Rodriguez (Spain)
"I think life is about overcoming difficulties. I will challenge."
Sports News Department Reporter
Noriyuki Sakai