Three years ago in Tokyo, the visually impaired athlete came away empty-handed, finishing fourth. “I can’t believe it, the competition was really strong. Every medal is always special,” said Eder. Before the final attempt, the javelin thrower was threatened with the same fate as in Japan, but this time she held her nerve brilliantly. “I just thought to myself, please not like in Tokyo. I don’t want to do that anymore. It was so exciting right up to the end.”
Gold went to the superior Chinese Yuping Zhao, who set a new world record with 47.06 m. The pursuers did not come close to this distance, and in the duel for silver Eder lost out to the Russian Anna Kulinich-Sorokina (38.10 m), competing under a neutral flag in Paris.
Great atmosphere
The competition was accompanied by a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. For Eder, however, it was more of a curse than a blessing. “There are certainly people who need that. But for me, as a visually impaired person, it is very difficult to concentrate and stay with myself when it is so loud,” explained the 44-year-old. After the competition, however, she was able to enjoy the atmosphere and will continue to do so throughout the day. “Today we will celebrate. That is one hundred percent certain.”
Family and friends will not be present at the celebration, as they were cheering on the exciting competition from home. Unlike many other athletes, Eder did not bring a large fan base to Paris. “I am one of the few athletes who doesn’t need anyone from her family with me,” explained Eder. But the bronze medal will certainly be celebrated appropriately in her hometown of Gröbming.
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Bild: GEPA pictures/ Patrick Steiner (GEPA pictures)
The Styrian represented red-white-red at the World Games for athletes with disabilities for the fourth time. “It’s great to be part of the Austrian team again. As always, it’s a special experience,” she said. In comparison to the games in London and Tokyo, where she also competed in the shot put, Eder concentrated completely on her favorite discipline this time. A plan that worked perfectly.
The now 44-year-old has no intention of thinking about quitting. “I want to carry on, that’s for sure. I can keep the younger ones nervous for a while. I can’t be crossed off the list so quickly,” said Eder.
In her childhood, the Styrian still had full vision. An eye disease at the age of 15 ultimately led to impairment. But Eder did not let this hold her back for long; just one year later, she began training in the pentathlon in Belarus. Over time, she developed a passion for the throwing disciplines in athletics, and in 2003 she moved to Austria.
Even two decades later, the 44-year-old is still one of the world’s best javelin throwers. Eder has already impressively demonstrated this by winning the silver medal at this year’s World Championships. In total, the mother of two has already won nine medals at World and European Championships, and in Paris she has now won her third Paralympic crown.
This article was updated at 12:56.
