Lukas Martens - After the gold medal, it went to bed
Germany has finally produced a new swimming star. Lukas Märtens (22) won sovereignly the Gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games on Saturday in the 400 Meter Freestyle. After the award ceremony in Arena La Défense, Märtens fought back tears during the German national anthem. The bitter part: unfortunately, Märtens had no time to celebrate his sensational victory afterwards, as further swimming competitions were about to start immediately.
After the award ceremony, he made no detour to the German House, where medal winners often celebrate their performance with their compatriots in the evening. For Mertens, it went directly home and to bed on Saturday. The big party therefore still has to wait for him: "That's tough, but that's what I've been practicing for the last few years," said Mertens after his triumph. That's why it means now for him: "Every minute for regeneration. I believe I still have a chance for precious metals." Already on Sunday morning, it goes on for Märtens with the heats over 200 meters Freestyle.
Not easy, handling the favorite role
By the way: In his gold race, Märtens did not have the world record in mind. "I don't give a damn if it fell or not. I'm on top and I think I deserve it." Time was just buzzing around in his head, but the goal was the medal, said the Gold medal winner to the "Bild" newspaper. It was not always easy for him to handle the favorite role.
After the Olympics, Märtens has to put himself under the surgeon's knife. He suffers from a chronic sinusitis, which forced him to stop training for three months in the fall of 2023. "That will take six to seven weeks to heal," says Märtens also to the "Bild" newspaper about the planned surgery. An operation date will be made after the return from Paris.
Following his Gold medal victory, Lukas Märtens expressed his thoughts to the "Bild" newspaper, stating, "I don't give a damn if the world record fell or not. I'm on top and I think I deserve it." Despite handling the favorite role not being easy for him, Märtens is determined to aim for more precious metals at the Olympia Games, starting with the heats over 200 meters Freestyle on Sunday morning. Regarding his post-Olympic plans, Märtens mentioned that he would undergo surgery for his chronic sinusitis, which had forced him to stop training for three months in the fall of 2023, and that the operation would require six to seven weeks to heal. This information was also shared with the "Bild" newspaper. In light of his recent win and upcoming challenges, Germany looks forward to witnessing further success from their new swimming star in the Defense at future Olympic Games in Olympia.
