With the tension and emotions having died down following her elimination from the semifinals of the Women’s Epee at the 2024 Olympics, the Gundura giftshosted on SKAI’s show, “Summer’s Cool”talking about what he experienced in Paris.
The 27-year-old Greek fencer (belonging to bwin’s Team Future), spoke about the injustice he experienced in the game with the French and later Olympic gold medalist, Manu Apici-Brunet, saying that some played with her toil and sweat and that she felt completely helpless.
At the same time, he also referred to huge love and support he received from hundreds of our compatriots, stressing that several of them identified with what he said, as it had an impact on their own lives.
Dora Gundura’s statements in detail:
“I feel good, I’ve calmed down a bit. Yesterday was both pleasant and unpleasant. I rested, I also talked to my people, I also saw some things that I wanted to see again. I’m fine.
I tried to stick to my statements after the match, but it was difficult at the time the feeling. It was the emotion, I was thinking about where I was, what I’ve been through, the positives outweighed the negatives. I don’t want people to think that a tear is only sadness and disappointment. I felt wronged and helpless because I knew very well that nothing would change no matter how much we protested. What has happened history has written and does not erase.
I don’t know if the fact that my opponent was French played a role, or the crowd because the stadium was “boiling”, and it stressed the referee. I don’t know if it was just referee mistakes or intentional. I don’t even care, it’s none of my business. I train, I play fair and I want to be treated that way. And referees are human, they might have been stressed. There were some points not awarded at the start, however the score was very close. In the end I asked for two repeat videos. It goes, it was mine for sure, and the referee turns around and says it’s nobody’s point, it’s cancelled. Which is difficult in our sport… This happened a second time right after. Those two strikes at the end would have changed the whole score.
My coach was very angry at the time, I completely justify him, he was out of his mind. I completely agree with the sentence he said that it is not possible for someone to play with your efforts and the sweat you pour, because for the referee it is a decision, but for you, think about what you have sacrificed, how much you have tried. The Hellenic Olympic Committee wanted to appeal the arbitration on its own. Not that it will change anything, the result has been decided, but there should be an objection from our side.
For the love that people show me, I feel strange because I know that people love sports, but I already know that the eyes are on professional sports. I feel and feel that many people identified with what I said about their own lives as well. That everyone wakes up and makes their own efforts for life, goes through their own calvary. I’m glad that I got a lot of love from people and I saw people’s willingness to support me, to tell me things. It was something unprecedented for me!
Now he has rest and a few holidays and then I will set goals again, I will make my plans. Good things will come, but now I have to get over the feeling I experienced in Paris.”
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
