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Maria Mutola Quotes
born 1972 Mozambique
Maria de Lurdes Mutola (1972) is a retired Mozambican female track and field athlete who specialised in the 800 metres running event. She is only the fourth female track and field athlete to compete at six Olympic Games.
Also known as: Maria de Lurdes Mutola
Random Maria Mutola quote
23 quotes
Maria is, without doubt, the best female athlete there has ever been, let alone the best middle-distance athlete.
They have named one of the Mozambique streets after me and even my old school has been renamed after me.
If I do win it, I will…oh I don’t know what I will do!
I am like the candle that has a steady long-lasting flame, rather than the candle that burns brightly yet dies quickly.
I used to think that maybe Sydney in 2000 would be my last Olympic Games, but as long as I stay injury-free, and listen to my body, then maybe I can go on to Athens.
I have very few thoughts on my mind except about my hamstring and wanting to be back well and racing again on the circuit.
But I’m so happy that I did it in Zürich and that I ran under two minutes again. Zürich has been good to me – I have won 12 races here and the crowd is very supportive.
Of course, winning the whole jackpot was monumental because for the first time it was won by a single competitor.
My last race, it’s not easy to take, knowing that I have to put the spikes away.
When I quit, I can say I have achieved the most important things...winning the world titles and now the Olympic Games.
Schools were closed so the students can come and see me.
On the first day I arrived there after the Olympics, I had never seen so many people waiting at the airport in Maputo (the capital), And they were all there for me.
I have always enjoyed the indoor season and that is my main motivation at present but yes if my hamstring doesn’t bother me the World Championships in Helsinki are a goal.
I think Brussels will feel very strange. The break will make it strange and probably the fact that I will be so close to winning the jackpot.
I left for the United States at 14 years of age and I learned a lot. Education and exposure taught me many things, which I want to disseminate to the young girls.
It is smooth and easy for us as we have the same coach and the same manager, Kelly shares the same goals as we do. This gives extra inspiration and motivation to all of us.
We are already sending young boys and girls to run and play tennis in South Africa, and I hope the foundation will grow and help sportsmen and women acquire scholarships for studies abroad.
My relation with Margo has been a continual one since the time I first went to the United States as a teenager, She is more than a coach - she is like a mother to me.
I know I am in excellent shape and I will try and take advantage of my shape to try and defend my world title in Paris. The world championships race will be very important to me.
I have one more Olympics in me—at least, If I did retire, I have my own foundation back home to help young kids in sport and I hope that will grow. I would probably coach somewhere too.