Only four girls achieved a better result than Marija Vuković in the final of the Olympic Games, in the high jump discipline.
In the end, due to multiple attempts at 196 centimeters, the Montenegrin athlete was ninth - a result she could only dream of until recently.
That's why the tears after the final were from mixed emotions.
"Happiness, sadness, gratitude - there was everything. I didn't expect a medal, I knew that the competition was strong, that the girls had been jumping over two meters for so many years, that I hadn't been at that level for so long and that all this was new for me, because I had just established myself at these heights. Maybe there were regrets that I didn't jump even higher, but the morning after the final, it's clear to me that it's a big deal to be among the top ten in the world. I am proud that after the falls and setbacks I did not give up, but managed to bring myself to this level", says Marija Vuković.
Tokyo has opened another door - another premiere is coming...
"I received an invitation to the Diamond League in Paris, on August 28, I entered the list of the 12 best... The Diamond League has always been the cream of the crop, I will be there, representing myself and Montenegro."
Therefore, there is not much rest...
"Let's celebrate a little, with family and friends, then go to training," says Marija.
She won't get ready in Athens, but she quickly returns to the place where she found happiness...
"Even after fulfilling the norm, I said that I hope that it will not be a problem for ASCG and COK to support my stay in Athens. I hope that after Tokyo I will have financial support, although that is always a story in itself. In Athens I became part of the team, I have a great relationship with coach Joana Sioma, I would like to prepare well, to look towards Paris and something big".
An optimist is...
"Only positive, only with a smile, because everything happens for a reason. If I hadn't gone through what I went through, maybe I wouldn't have experienced all this in this way. Maybe I didn't even know how strong I am, and I still have the strength and faith to continue further and better".
Bonus video:
