Mireia Belmonte still has doubts regarding her presence in the World Championships.
On Tuesday, Mireia Belmonte had a spectacular training session. "This is how she can go to the World Championships," says Fred Vergnoux. On Wednesday, however, it was not the same. That's why the swimmer from Badalona puts her chances of going to Kazan at "50 percent". The coach maintains his doubts and concerns. "I'm afraid the injury will worsen if she competes. She goes against what the doctors say. I told her to rest and start preparing for the Olympics earlier. She could withdraw from the 200 individual medley and worsen the situation, that would be very bad."
The UCAM swimmer explained that on Sunday she will do the examination. "I feel good, with some discomfort still. Now I will undergo a medical test and on Sunday we have a training test to make a decision. I feel better than before. Pain is the most reliable indicator and there is still a little bit." Mireia confirmed that she has already withdrawn from the 800 and 1,500 freestyle, so her program is reduced to the 200 butterfly, 200 and 400 individual medley, and 400 freestyle. "I will make the final decision. Right now I am going against everyone's advice. If I listen to them, it's for my own good."
Vergnoux himself, who has had to alter the training plan due to this setback, admits that "if she goes to the World Championships, it's to win. She won't go just to swim in the morning and not in the afternoon. I told her she doesn't have to prove anything, that if she's not 100 percent, she shouldn't go. It's a shame, but we have to learn from everything. In these three months, we have done positive underwater work, we have improved other things. We will finish the season with more information for the Olympics."
If she doesn't go, Mireia won't slow down: "If I finally don't go, we haven't made a recovery plan yet. First, I will recover my shoulder, but I will continue training in this direction. For now, the doctor has said that surgery is not necessary. I want to recover first and then we will see how we approach the Olympic year. That is the most important course. They have told me to recover for about six weeks, but that's a long time. I will have to keep training, even if it's just cardio or legs."
The Spanish swimming team will leave for Kazan on Monday, although they will spend the night in Moscow. Who knows if Mireia will join them on that flight.
