Nora Drakou never gave up. Even when she was told that because of her injury, she would never swim once more.
The 32-year-old native swimmer, who is preparing to take part for the fourth time in the Olympic Games, went through many failures, injuries and difficult situations, but remained standing.
After 16 years of very hard work, patience and perseverance, a few days ago he broke the Panhellenic record in the 50m. free with 24.59 and celebrated winning the silver medal. Earlier, he had won the silver in the 50m backstroke!
With 15 Panhellenic victories, she has already managed to write her name in golden letters in the history of Greek swimming for her duration and consistency.
But as you will see by reading the interview below, in addition to being a top athlete, Nora is also a bright person, who spreads joy around her, who enjoys every moment. The most important lesson he learned from sports is to never give up and he put it into practice.
In a few days, he will represent our country, as well as Patras, at the Olympic Games in Paris.
– What was the most difficult moment in your career?
“In 2013 when my shoulder dislocated and I had surgery. It was almost impossible to come back. Many times in my career I have been told that it is impossible for me to succeed. I stayed out of the pool for 1.5 years and in two years I had a World Championship and entered the final.”
– What made you stubborn to not give up?
“Firstly my environment which is incredibly supportive, the whole family. Second, I am very optimistic. I never see the negative. I always believe that I will overcome them. “No” is generally not on my mind.”
– How do you manage pressure and stress before big matches?
“In the beginning I was ignorant of danger. When I had my first successes I was nervous, I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep well, it was a soul-destroying process. Growing up, that changed. Now I am very calm. I focus on the positives, I say that I have done a good preparation and I am enjoying every moment.”
– How do you manage to balance your personal life with your career?
“The truth is that my personal life has gone way back. Many times I focus on the goal and neglect the rest. I feel bad for my friends, but they’ve helped me, they’ve understood how I behave and they don’t have a problem.”
– Have you thought regarding what you will do when you stop swimming?
“I don’t think regarding it followingwards. I’m living in the now, I’m enjoying the now, I have some thoughts regarding the following, but I’ll get them out when I stop.”
– What is the strangest or most interesting place you have visited?
“I single out Rio de Janeiro. I loved the culture of the people, their mentality, the places. There are great social inequalities, you see them. Where you see the palace, you also see the man who has no home, but I am always impressed by people who do not have all the things that theoretically bring happiness and you see them so happy and joyful. They dance, they have a good time, they are all together.”
– Did it somehow change your worldview?
“Very. Especially such places with social inequalities. Although they are impoverished, they wake up with a smile. They are not worried regarding getting a better car, but how they will eat. Hospitable, ready to help, I might see joy in their eyes.”
– Is there a funny incident that has happened in a match?
“We were in the relay with the girls and when a girl goes to make an opening, her swimsuit is torn. If you’re lucky and have a second swimsuit with you, then okay. In our case, we didn’t have a swimsuit, the girl ran, the mission leader came, said to wait a bit for the games and finally we swam.”
– How would you like to be remembered following your career is over?
“The medals are not important, nor the successes. It’s important that they remember what a good kid you were and how much you’ve helped others.”
– What is the most difficult part of your daily life as an athlete?
“Following the program. When will you eat, when will you sleep, when will you do your rehabilitation, what time will you wake up, without any deviation”.
– What is the most important lesson you have learned from your career?
“Never giving up. Patience and persistence. In sports there are more failures than successes. However, they are the ones that toughen you up, that make you more ready to accept success. Also, that you shouldn’t pay attention to the little ones.”
– Is there an athlete from another sport who inspires you?
“Rafael Nadal. I follow him everywhere and faithfully. We are very much in tune with what he says. He has been through a lot and has come back, he has a supportive environment.”
– Is there a charm or ritual you follow before every match?
“All I have is the bathing suit. I think I’ll swim better in a black swimsuit than in a colored one.”
– What advice would you give to kids who are just starting their careers?
“Don’t expect easy success. To work a lot. To believe in themselves and have patience. Don’t give up with the first failures, because I’ve seen it happen.”
– What is your biggest dream that is not related to swimming?
“To get a house on an island and a tavern! To be side by side and to live there, to have friends, acquaintances come over the sea”.
– What is your favorite activity to relax following a long day?
“Walking with my dog Baloo and I like reading a lot. It calms me down and gets me off the phone. I read a lot of detective stories, but I also like the ones regarding war. I recently read “All the Light We Cannot See” and it was incredible.”
– Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
“I like Greece very much, it is beautiful. What I have singled out is Naxos. In general, I like all the places.”
– What is your favorite food;
“The stuffed ones, the spaghetti with minced meat. My mom cooks a lot and I like everything.”
– What makes you smile and be happy in your everyday life?
“I am permanently happy! I’m happy to be surrounded by nice people.”
– If you weren’t an athlete, what would you be?
“Mmm, I don’t know. Again something related to sports would be. I’m generally an athletic guy. And I’m good at art, I draw well, but no, I don’t imagine myself a painter!’
– Who is your biggest hero?
“My Dad. He is tireless because he can work 32 hours a day and come in at night with a smile and a willingness to do whatever you ask of him. This is great. It always surprises me. But my whole family is very supportive and we support each other.”
– What is your motto or a phrase that inspires you?
“Don’t waste the time you have created. An Olympian has said it and it expresses me perfectly.”
– If you might change anything in the world, what would it be?
“Too many. I’d say let’s be a little more polite. We have lost kindness, love, generosity. Let’s put our ego aside and give generously without always expecting something in return.”
– If you might live in any city in the world, which would you choose?
“I really liked Amsterdam, but I’ll repeat that it doesn’t have anything like Greece…”.
– When would you go back in time if you might?
“The day I caught the time for the first Olympic Games. The emotions were so strong, that I remember them as if they were now. It was a big dream.”
– What are your thoughts on the upcoming Olympics?
“I can’t wait like crazy to leave for Paris! I will be very calm. I have fulfilled my big goal which was the European, I am stress free and I will enjoy every moment. I want to compete as well as possible and come back with a huge, big smile.”
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