Diogo Marreiros was crowned European champion in speed skating in the 10 thousand meters event by points to eliminate. This is the first time in the history of the sport that the national athlete has achieved gold in the senior class.
Thus, Portugal entered the best way possible in the European championship of the modality, which is taking place in Canelas, Estarreja. On the first day alone, the national speed skating team won one gold and three silver medals.
For Diogo Marreiros, the medal is “a dream come true”, as it highlights the work that he and his colleagues – Martyn Dias, Miguel Bravo and Manuel Martins – have done this year, he told the Portuguese Skating Federation.
At the junior level, athletes Miguel Monteiro and Marco Lira collected two of the national team’s silver medals.
When Miguel Monteiro realized that he had been in second place in the 5,000 meters event on points, the athlete was moved: “I had tears in my eyes”, when he stressed that the medal belongs to him and to the whole team.
Skater Marco Lira said that the 10 thousand points to eliminate race was “very tough” and that his goal “was the gold”. “It was the first day, there are still many ahead of me and I’m going to fight for the gold. I’m motivated for tomorrow and for the next few days”, said the athlete.
The third silver medal was awarded to António Piteira and Jéssica Rodrigues in the 500 meter team sprint event, in the youth class.
António Piteira highlighted the work of his teammate, pointing out the work they both performed throughout training, “always keeping the focus, since the beginning of the season” to win a medal in the European competition.
The European Speed Skating Championship started this Monday and will end on July 24th, in Canelas, Estarreja.
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