Tokyo 2020: 200 medley or 200 butterfly? This could be Katinka Hosszú’s dilemma

– We were sure about the two medleys but were only guessing the other events until you told head coach Csaba Sós that you'll compete in 200 butterly and 200 backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics. How did you decide on them?
– The 200 and 400 medleys were no question – answered Katinka Hosszú(Iron Swim), who won a gold medal in 100 back along with two medleys and finished second on 200 back five years ago in Rio.

– Did you discard the 100 backstroke?
– I don't feel good about it which is a bit strange because I won gold in Rio in this... But maybe the competition took a big step forward because of me: coaches have been telling their athletes in recent years that “Katinka Hosszú was able to win even after four medleys.” Now, a lot of swimmers compete in 100 back and break world records which is why the competition is completely different from the one in Rio. Although this is what I expected. It's a sprint event that I was very much prepared for before Rio. Now I can tell you that I originally expected to finish somewhere the third place. It's just that surprises always happen at an Olympics, and so it was on the 100 back where the favorites bled to death before the final.

– But Katinka Hosszú won two days after the 400 medley.
– I won in a way that the morning after the 400 medley, I sprained my leg in the 100 back heats, and I found it difficult to even walk.

– What surprised many is that you decided on the 200 backstroke. Why did you make this decision?
– In the last few days, there's only one event in the Olympic program that's my event, and that's the 200 back. It's sitting there alone, and I'll have plenty of time by then — why not swim in it? Who knows what will happen? The Olympics is always different, there are always surprises. It's already surprising that the world record holder, Regan Smith, didn't even make the U.S. team because she only finished third in the selection.

– And now we're at the 200 butterfly and the 200 medley. The two events overlap each other in the Olympic program. Is it possible that you'll have to decide between the two only right there?
– I may be forced to make a prompt decision there. In fact, it's almost certain as there are 40 minutes between the 200 medley semifinals and the 200 butterfly finals.

– What if it was the other way around?
– Well, that's the thing! After a final, I'd take on the semifinals, but there's a lot of risks now.

– It wasn't a question five years ago, but if we look at this year, we notice that the 200 butterfly has moved up in the rankings.
– Butterfly is going well this year, and I love this event anyway. We'll see what happens.

– When are you leaving?
– On July 8th, and until the start, I'm training in the time zone Tokyo is in.

– What condition are you traveling in?
– My condition is getting better. I need those three weeks, but I'm starting to feel good.

Translated by Vanda Orosz