Artemis Vasilaki at tanea.gr: 'I realized the national record performance only when I saw the time'

Artemis Vasilaki shattered the pool's timing system in the 800m freestyle final, securing fourth place at the European Swimming Championships in Paris. Her remarkable time of 8:26.38 obliterated her own national record of 8:32.29, demonstrating her exceptional current form and a significant personal breakthrough.

The Greek champion shared her thoughts on the historic race and her growing affinity for the Paris pool. She revealed that this performance instills the confidence needed to aim for the 2028 Olympic Games, a lifelong dream. She also signaled her intent for the upcoming 400m and 1500m freestyle events.

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Inside the race, I felt quite good and tried to stay focused until the end. I knew I had worked very hard during this period, but I certainly didn't expect such a good time. When I saw the result, it was a beautiful moment and a great satisfaction because it confirmed that the work we do in training is paying off in competition.

"Inside the race, I felt quite good and tried to stay focused until the end," Vasilaki told tanea.gr. "I knew I had worked very hard during this period, but I certainly didn't expect such a good time. When I saw the result, it was a beautiful moment and a great satisfaction because it confirmed that the work we do in training is paying off in competition."

This marks the second national record Vasilaki has set in Paris. "Certainly, it's a place that has brought me many beautiful moments. The pool is very fast, and I think it suits me quite well. Since I've managed to set a national record here for the second time, I would say I now have a very good relationship with this pool."

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Certainly, it's a place that has brought me many beautiful moments. The pool is very fast, and I think it suits me quite well. Since I've managed to set a national record here for the second time, I would say I now have a very good relationship with this pool.

Upon finishing, Vasilaki's visible excitement suggested disbelief. "Honestly, no! When I finished, I was more happy and excited without having yet realized what time I had achieved. When I saw the time and understood it was a national record, that's when I truly realized what had happened. It was a moment that will stay with me."

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Honestly, no! When I finished, I was more happy and excited without having yet realized what time I had achieved. When I saw the time and understood it was a national record, that's when I truly realized what had happened. It was a moment that will stay with me.

While her time met the Olympic standard, qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games begins in March. "It certainly gives me a lot of confidence. Seeing that I can already swim under the qualifying time is very important for me, but I don't want to stop there. I know there's still a long way to go and a lot of work until 2028. I want to continue improving, working daily, and trying to take a step forward each time. The Olympic Games are a very big goal, and it's certainly something I dream of."

Looking ahead to the 400m and 1500m freestyle events, Vasilaki aims to approach them with the same mindset. "I want to enter both races with the same spirit and give my best. The 1500m is an event I love very much, but I also want to see how fast I can swim in the 400m. I don't want to set specific limits and times in my mind right now. My goal is to swim as fast as I can."

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It certainly gives me a lot of confidence. Seeing that I can already swim under the qualifying time is very important for me, but I don't want to stop there. I know there's still a long way to go and a lot of work until 2028. I want to continue improving, working daily, and trying to take a step forward each time. The Olympic Games are a very big goal, and it's certainly something I dream of.