PARIS, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Spanish rower Virginia Diaz says she is aiming to improve on her sixth place at the Tokyo Olympics to reach podium in Paris.
The 32-year-old, finished just outside the medals in coxless pair with her partner Aina Cid, three years ago and will compete in single scull in Paris after winning the final of the pre-Olympic tournament in Lucerne in May.
"I am very excited, because it has been a long road and the fact that I have qualified is a great reward," said the rower from the Basque region in north Spain.
"You have to be patient and perseverant," she continued, adding that in bad times it's important to "continue" with "desire and enthusiasm."
Diaz has been the European gold, silver and bronze medalist in coxless pairs, but told the Basque Team website from Paris that she was enjoying racing on her own.
"A team boat is quite different from an individual one, but it is something I want to do, and I'm very excited despite the differences," she said, adding that her good performance in qualifying was a big reason for optimism.
"It's important to do well in the qualifier, because you come to the Games, knowing you have done a good job, and it helps motivate you to push yourself every day."
"I know I've worked hard and after doing well in the qualifying tournament, my goal is to do as well as possible in the finals," she said. ■