RUDN University student Zoya Schurova at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo

Zoya is a multiple champion of Russia and a silver medalist at the World Cup in Berlin. She has been swimming for 9 years. She started training in the town of Zelenograd at the “Sports School No. 10”, now she trains at the “Center for Sports and Education” Sambo-70“. “This is where I achieved such results,” says Zoya.

“My starts are on August 28: I swim 150 m complex (in three different styles). The main distance — August 29 — 50 m backstroke. Then on August 30th — 100m freestyle and August 31st — 50m breaststroke. ”

Zoe’s Instagram has dozens of comments and words of support. — She is a 4th year student of Journalism at the Faculty of Philology and publishes notes “from the fields”.

“I have very mixed feelings! This is my first Paralympics. This is the beginning of a huge journey. Even if I do not manage to be on the podium, I will perceive it not as a defeat, but as a great experience, and I will strive for the gold medal in Paris 2024. I am ready to fight!

Excitement ruins the result, but so far there has been no escape from it. In order not to worry, I try not to think about the scale of the competition and the rivals. I only think about how much I have been training to be here. I have swum these distances 1,000 times. The most important thing is to go to the start with an empty head.

The support of my parents and friends helps me a lot. And also the support of the coach, who, unfortunately, is not with me at the Paralympics.”