Madrid, July 21 (IANS) Two-time Olympic silver medallist Mireia Belmonte has so far failed to confirm whether or not she will compete in the Swimming World Championships to be held in Kazan, Russia, between July 24 and August 9.
The winner of two silver medals in the 2012 Olympic Games and two silver medals and a bronze medal in the 2013 World Championships has been working to recover from a shoulder injury and will leave confirming her participation in Kazan until the last moment, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.
“If at the end I decide not to go, it will be for the best. If I sacrifice competing in these World Championships, it will be so that I am in condition to compete in the (2016) Olympic Games,” said Belmonte on Tuesday.
“My aim is to be fit for the Olympic Games,” the 24-year-old added, although she admitted it would be “difficult” to not go to Kazan.
Belmonte explained that her coach, Fred Vergnoux was against her competing in Kazan and had told her it was better not to compete.
“He thinks I have to rest my shoulders and recover well, although I am continuing to work with my legs. I have to rest and when everything is well, then I can train to be able to produce my best performances,” she said.
“The team goes to Kazan on July 27 and the swimming starts on August 2, I suppose that I will know if I can go or not a couple of days before,” commented Belmonte, who gave herself a “5 out of 10” chance of being fit.