Published1 August 2024, 04:37
Despite missing out on a medal: “It was awesome”: Swiss swimming star makes the Djokovic
Although Noè Ponti missed the podium in the 200 m, he was not disappointed after the race and made a statement reminiscent of tennis superstar Novak Djokovic.
von
The hall went wild when French swimmer Marchand won. Ponti came fifth.
SRF
-
Noè Ponti finished 5th in the 200 meter butterfly.
-
The French crowd created a great atmosphere during the race.
-
Ponti says he tried to interpret the cheers for the Frenchman Marchand as cheers for him.
-
Tennis champion Novak Djokovic once made a similar statement.
The La Défense Arena in Paris has probably rarely experienced such deafening noise as in the closing stages of the Olympic swimming finals over 200 meters butterfly. Rugby games and concerts are usually held here. On Wednesday evening, Léon Marchand was in charge of the show, and was pushed forward by the home fans on his way to his second Olympic gold. The 22-year-old doubled the number two hours later and grabbed his third gold medal in the 200 meter breaststroke.
Noè Ponti, on the other hand, missed out on a medal in the 200-meter butterfly, despite equaling the Swiss record he had set the day before with a time of 1:54.14. “There is no disappointment. I gave it my all,” said the Swiss swimming star when asked about his feelings 20 minutes after the race. He didn’t make it onto the podium, but you can’t always win, said Ponti.
Proud despite missing a medal
“I didn’t lose here, but I still came fifth at the Olympics,” emphasises the Ticino athlete. “In Switzerland, maybe four or five people can say they came fifth at the Olympics,” adds Ponti. Three years ago, he only came tenth in the 200-metre butterfly, which is not one of his favourite disciplines.
Noe Ponti has big goals.
Claude Diderich/freshfocus
“The atmosphere was amazing, even for me,” explains the 23-year-old when asked about the electrifying ambience in the arena, before recalling tennis superstar Novak Djokovic. In 2019, after the epic Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, he said he tried to hear the audience’s loud “Roger calls” as “Novak chants.”
«Léon and Noè – that sounds almost the same»
“You just have to think it’s for me and not for Léon,” says Ponti, knowing full well that the loud noise of the Parisian crowd was directed at local hero Marchand. “Léon and Noè – that sounds almost the same,” says the man who sensationally won bronze in the 100-meter butterfly in Tokyo in 2021. Ponti is likely to have the best medal chances in that discipline again this year.
“I’m in shape, that’s for sure,” says the Swiss. He will now recover and then prepare well for the upcoming races. The preliminary rounds for the 100-meter butterfly are on Friday, followed by the final one day later. “You have to swim fast to get into the final,” says Ponti modestly.
However, the Ticino native does not hide the fact that he has great ambitions. “You always have to want a medal, otherwise it doesn’t make sense. If I swim for fifth place, I don’t have to be here,” he explains a few minutes after his first, but hopefully not last, final appearance in Paris.
20 Minuten Fantasy League
Manage your own Super League team
Immerse yourself in the world of the new fantasy game from 20 minutes! Put together your own dream team, prove your football knowledge and fight for the top of the rankings. Whether you are a passionate football fan or a fantasy gaming enthusiast – the 20 minutes Fantasy League is for you!
Whether you win or lose is decided by the players’ real performance and your line-up. For example, you get extra points for goals and deductions for red cards. The aim is to be the most successful manager possible. And there are cool prizes to be won every month.
