OMARA DURAND: “LIMA 2019 WILL BE IN MY HEART FOREVER”

Omara Durand was asked more than once what was the secret that made her the most important Para athlete in history. The Cuban athlete is always willing to share her success with the rest of her team. She loves sports just as much as she wants to make history. She has trained to make the Lima 2019 Games another victory in her career.

She was very moved when leaving her mark at the Athletics Stadium at VIDENA, always with a timid smile on her face. She created a synergy with her coach, Miriam Ferrer with whom she has been working for 13 years competing at the highest levels, improving her marks in T12 class (congenital visual impairment) which are even better than those obtained by some conventional athletes.

In these Parapan American Games, she hopes to be better with an historical triple gold in 100, 200 and 400m.  During her interview with Lima 2019, the fastest Para athlete in the world said that at 27, she still has many objectives, like a PhD in Psychology. She is an example of perseverance.

Has this being an important moment for you?

This has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will take this memory back home to Cuba with me. I enjoy all the events I go to but Lima 2019 will be in my heart forever.

You have so many victories that make you the best in history. Do you like it that way?

I feel like a Paralympic athlete who likes to run and I do it with all my heart and discipline to meet the goals I set myself with my team.

What is your source of inspiration in sports?

Since my daughter Erika was born in 2013, I learned that you can be an athlete and a mother without any problems.  She was raised at the athletics track of La Habana where I train everyday. Mis peers and my coach, Miriam Ferrer, are her family. She even calls her grandma! There is a strong union among us which makes me quite happy and motivates me to give my best!

Have you practiced other sports?

When I was little, I loved volleyball but I never got to practice it. I grew up watching the famous Caribbean women of the Olympic Games, champions in Barcelona 92, Atlanta 96 and Sidney 2000. I liked the winner attitude of the Cuban women, specially Mireya Luis who I have always admired.

After your marks and medals, what other goals do you have?

I always train to be the best. The medals and marks can not be planned, they can only be obtained. One of my dearest goals in life has been studying psychology but I was not able to reach it because I have been training since I was 13 years old. When I was 15 years old, I was already a three-time Parapan American champion. However, I am getting ready for my doctoral thesis which I will start when I finish with my sports career.

BUY YOUR TICKETS

If you want to attend Omara Durand's competitions from Saturday, August 24, you can purchase your tickets from 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city.

You may also get your tickets through Lima 2019 website lima2019.pe/tickets, where you can also find the competitions schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers will be able to show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.