Monaco’s Lisa Pou faced gruelling conditions as she competed in the Olympics’ 10km marathon swim in the Seine. Though disappointed with her 18th-place finish, the Monegasque swimmer says she is determined and motivated for the future.
The women’s 10km swim event was held in Paris on 8th August. It was a particularly challenging race for the athletes in the water of the Seine, who had to battle unusually strong currents estimated to be three times the average for the stretch of river between the Alexandre III and Alma bridges.
Monaco’s Lisa Pou, who was one of two athletes selected to act as flagbearers for the Principality at the Opening Ceremony in July, persisted, despite being forced to spend a significant portion of the race swimming against the current.
She ultimately finished in 18th with a time of 2:07:05. The race was won by Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal, who recorded a time of 2:03:34. In second was Australian Moesha Johnson, followed by Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci.
See more: In pictures: Monaco at the Olympics
After the race, Pou admitted that she was unhappy with her result, saying, “I wasn’t 100% physically, that’s true. The race didn’t go well and was about survival from start to finish. I’m very disappointed with my result.”
Her coach and father, Michel Pou, added, “The race was complicated as one had to avoid fighting the current and deal with the challenges during the upstream segments.”
Despite the frustration and disappointment, Pou made it clear that she is already looking ahead and is motivated for the future.
“I hope to return even stronger next year,” she shared.
Prince Albert II and Princess Alexandra of Hanover were in the capital for the event and watched on from the stands as the swimmers completed the marathon course.
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Photo credit: Stéphan Maggi / Comité Olympique Monégasque