He became the first Slovak in history to qualify for the Olympics in skateboarding. In Paris, he will fulfill a big dream by participating under the five rings. Richard Tury from Košice is preparing for the Olympics in Dubai, where temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
However, the conditions are significantly better than in Europe, which is in many respects more expensive compared to the Arab country.
“I train in the Olympic skatepark, which was built in Dubai for the purposes of the WC 2022. Since it was built, we have been coming back here regularly to train. There is no skatepark with similar parameters anywhere else in the world except Rome,” he says.
Do you mind the extreme temperatures in Dubai?
It is true that it is very hot here. It was similar last summer. I will admit that I had a hard time handling it. I felt like I was going to melt. The humidity here is extremely high. A person becomes extremely sweaty in a short time.
You feel like you have a pool in your shoes. We were in Dubai this year in June and we came again now. I’m quite surprised that it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to. Training in my forties seems normal to me. We go to practice around four to five in the evening.
Is it worth training in Dubai from a financial point of view?
As for food and hotels, they are much cheaper compared to Europe. Last year I spent about half a year in Dubai in preparation. I also like the city itself. I’m relatively calm when training, and by preparing in a high-quality skate park, I’ve improved my performance significantly.
What does your typical day in Dubai look like?
For the last two years, I have been following a classic routine before the Olympics. I get up in the morning, I stretch, I warm up. Subsequently, I have strength and fitness training if I prepare at home. Abroad, I concentrate on training in the skate park. I spend about two hours in it. I’m trying to hone my competitive driving skills.
I usually have regeneration in the evening. One might say that two hours is not enough. Jumping from the stairs and often falling on hard concrete is not so easy. It’s very exhausting.
How does cooperation with coach Tomáš Vintra work?
It started more than ten years ago. It was he who introduced me to the world of big skateboarding, for which I am very grateful. Thanks to him, I got to the top level. However, I also have a lot of support from my family, my girlfriend and all the people around me.
Do you have a regular job in addition to skateboarding?
I have the support of the Sports Center of the Police and the Slovak Olympic Team. Making a living from skateboarding is very difficult. Today, competition is at a high level. I am grateful to be able to devote myself fully to only skateboarding. When I was younger, I went to competitions and managed to collect achievements.
I consider it a big win that I can make a living doing what I really enjoy. I am employed at the Sports Center of the Police, but of course I also contribute my own finances. It wouldn’t be possible without it.
It is not possible to cover all expenses from sponsors alone. I’ve been putting my own money into it all my life. I always believed that I would level up when I was able to make a living doing it.
Who was your biggest role model at the beginning of your career and who do you draw inspiration from nowadays?
Like most skaters, I got my start thanks to the video game Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2. My friends from the Ťahanovce housing estate in Košice did the same, with whom we started riding on the basketball court, since there were no skateparks in those days.
One friend, who is no longer with us, told me that I would make it as far as I could. I am grateful for the group with which we pulled and encouraged each other in the beginning. I felt tremendous support from her.
What does it mean to you that you are the first Slovak to appear at the Olympics in skateboarding?
It’s a big deal. For every athlete, the Olympics is the pinnacle of their career. In addition, skateboarding is a new Olympic sport. I really appreciate it. I especially appreciate the progress I have made in four years. I barely made it to the Olympics in Tokyo.
Tury skateboard Richard Tury in action.
I moved between the twentieth and thirtieth places in the rankings. I’m going to Paris from the eighth row, which is a significant jump up. Getting into the top ten is extremely difficult. We sacrificed a lot for it. For two years, we went all the way in preparation in Dubai. It brought the desired success.
Who do you think is the biggest favorite for gold in Paris?
American Nyjah Huston. The Japanese will certainly fight for the leading places. For me, they are the biggest favorites for gold. However, I would wish everyone to win a medal at the Olympics. To be among 22 people from all over the world and to know their stories is incredible.
What sport would you like to watch in Paris?
My discipline will be at the Olympics on the very first day of the Olympics. It’s quite possible that I won’t be able to do anything else because of that. We are flying to Paris already on Sunday, July 26th is the opening ceremony and we will leave for the competition on the weekend, and I will fly home on July 28th.
I will probably only be able to watch some freestyle sports such as breakdancing, BMX or climbing. I would very much like to go see the Slovak athletes, but I probably won’t make it. If I had the chance, I would like to see the water slalom.
What are you most looking forward to in Paris?
I have been there several times. It is a very nice city. I am looking forward to the atmosphere of the Olympics. I am very curious to see how it looks at such a huge event. I would like to enjoy it very much first of all. Most probably the environment of the Olympic village. I believe it will be an unforgettable experience for me.
What is your favorite food, movie, music and city?
I love tofu. My favorite of the movies is the documentary Shawn White: The Last Run. It’s about snowboarder Shawn White, who has been to the Olympics five times and won gold three times. It is an extremely inspiring story.
As for music, I like listening to the Czech rap group PSH the most, and I like Gleb from the Slovak ones. I like several cities in China, I liked Dubai and, of course, I love my native Košice.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
