Spanish gymnast Gervasio Deferr told Diario AS on Friday that he is aiming to go down in history as the first Spaniard to win three gold medals in the Olympic Games.
Deferr took the gold medals in Sydney 2000 on the pommel horse and repeated the success with a gold medal for floor exercises in Athens 2004. Now he knows Beijing gives him the chance to go down in history.
"I don't feel any pressure because there are only two Spanish sports people who have got two gold medals (Teresa Zabell and Luis Doreste) and they have both retired. I am the only one who has a chance of winning a third gold medal. If I can do it, then it will be fantastic, but if not, I have already got two so it's not so dreadful," he said.
Deferr may be trying not to put himself under pressure, but he admitted he had been working hard ahead of the Olympics.
"I have prepared something special, but I can't say what it is. I am going to be up against some very strong rivals, but I feel very strong on the floor," said Deferr.
The Spaniard saw Brazilian Diego Hypolito as one of his main rivals for gold.
"Everyone is very even, but it could be that he is slightly stronger in combined exercises, while maybe I am better in jumps," said Deferr.
At 27-years-old, Deferr realizes these could be his last visit to the Olympic Games, but he is not ruling out an appearance in London in 2012.
"Whatever happens, I have not thought about retiring, although if I do win a gold medal, maybe I won't go to the Olympics again, but if injuries respect me, why can't I go to London?"
"All of this effort is all worthwhile. I want to do well at the Games and if this is my last appearance, then I want a medal in Beijing, even if it is 'just' bronze," said Deferr.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2008)