ANDx model and sports enthusiast, Charlene of Monaco it was also one champion again. And she even competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, placing fifth in the 4x100m relay. But now, with the years that pass and with the long illness that forced her to stay away from her family for a long time, his relationship with his body has changed. And to the French magazine Gala She confessed that although she still enjoys swimming, she can’t do it like she used to.
Charlene from Monaco: «I no longer swim with the same intensity as I used to»
«I no longer swim with the same intensity as I used to» explained the princess in an exclusive interview with the magazine. And he said that «when I was young I trained hard, I challenged myself physically. Today, however, it’s all about moderation.”
The sporting career of Charlene of Monaco
(Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)
The princess, who will turn 47 in just over a month, was in her youth a great promise of South African swimming. So much so that in 1999 he won two gold medals (in the 100 meter freestyle and the 100 meter backstroke) and one silver medal (in the 4×100 freestyle relay) at the Pan-African Games. And after representing South Africa at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, she did so again in 2002. After participating in the 2000 Sydney Olympics she also won numerous national titles, but a shoulder injury prevented her from attending the Beijing 2008 Olympics. And in the same year she had to retire from competitive sports.
So, Charlene Wittstock told Gala, she was «first and foremost an athlete. I was training to participate in the Olympic Games. It was my goal.” And sometimes this led her to isolate herself from other teenagers, because «swimming took up all my time. I have dedicated all my days, weeks and years to being at the top of my abilities.”
The relationship with the passing of time
And today that, with advancing age and illness, his physique has changed, he admitted that his relationship with sport has changed. And now he can no longer swim with the same intensity as he once did. But accepting change “can be quite difficult, because my nature is to want to break records, win medals and push my limits.” However, the princess concluded, «at almost 47 years old, I can’t do it anymore… My body won’t let me do it anymore. My spirit and my heart maybe could do it, but my body says no.”
Charlene then highlighted that in her opinion we must «accept aging. Chasing eternal youth is an illusion.” And he explained that “I simply try to stay as young as possible in mind and heart.”
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED