Runner Diana Khubeseryan will participate in 200m sprint in Rio Olympics.
Diana is the guest of this issue of the Rio-2016 series.
- Diana, you studied journalism at Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture. Why did you choose that specialization?
- I talked very quickly and very much, and my parents said I was a journalist material. I decided to study journalism and not athletics in order to have a second specialization. I don’t have experience in journalism, I only wrote articles for the institute newspaper.
- Did you enjoy athletics trainings?
- I was a swimmer, and one day I was taken to athletics competitions. I won and later got a call from athletics school. They told my parents they wanted to work with me. I didn’t take it seriously first, I just trained. Everything changed in 2009, when I won the tournament in Turkey, and athletics became a part of me.
- Let’s talk about the Olympic quota. How did you win it?
- I’ve been challenging myself and working to get in the Olympics since 2012. This is the peak of my career, four years of training weren’t in vain. I won the quota, and I will run 200m sprint.
- You participated in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Can you say this is your second Olympics?
- I was little then, just 15 years old. I didn’t understand much, but now I know how to prepare for the games. Good performance at Olympics is an achievement of its own.
Diana KhubeseryanPhoto: Mediamax
- What do you know about Rio de Janeiro?
- Rio is famous for the carnival, thousands of people come to see it. I think everyone heard about Zika virus.
- Do Brazilians and Armenians have anything in common?
- I think we’re different, I don’t seen any similarities.
- Would you be an athlete if you lived in a different country?
- No, I’d be a boxer. I love boxing.
- The flight to Rio will be long. What will you be doing on the plane?
- I’ll read, maybe watch a film.
- How do like to rest?
- I read or just listen to music.
Diana KhubeseryanPhoto: Mediamax
- What will participation in the Olympics give you?
- Strength, experience and patience.
- What Olympic champion would you like to meet?
- Runner Usain Bolt.
- A sport event that was impressive and memorable for you.
- Arsen Julfalakyan’s silver medal at the previous Olympic Games. I was very happy and inspired.
- Diana, finish the sentences. If I decide to leave athletics one day…
- I will only remember the good things.
- First, sport gives every person…
- Patience and desire to work hard
- I get surprised every time…
- I manage to convince myself that all will be fine.
- Olympic Games aren’t…
- Scary at all.
Gohar Nalbandyan talked to Diana Khubeseryan
Photos by Emin Aristakesyan
The partner of the project 
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