08/06/2021 4:35 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 08/06/2021 4:39 AM
Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza Saroli, flag bearers of Argentina at the opening ceremony of these Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, confirmed this Friday
the end of the pair
that achieved Olympic gold in the Nacra 17 class of yachting in Rio 2016.
"As a team we are honest. We do not know many things about the future, but we know, and we confirmed it in the morning, that
we will not continue together
. There is no reason to hide it. Whether Ceci continues or I continue competing are different realities. It was easy to talk about it. between us, because we had already talked about it when the Olympic Games were extended a year. We didn't say it, but we knew it inside of us before the last regatta, "the 59-year-old athlete clarified in an interview with
TyC Sports.
For his part, Carranza - through tears - expressed his deep desire to return home: "We are crazy, because our tours are eternal. Now that the end has come, I am counting the minutes to go home and share with all those people who truly accompany us from the heart and
let go of our hand so that we can fulfill our dream
".
Regarding his retirement, which will come sooner rather than later, Lange avoided giving details: "I am very clear about what it takes to continue in the sport and today I need time for my personal life.
Later we will see
."
In this way, the duo that put Argentina at the top in Rio 2016 closes its participation in these Olympic Games.
Although they
valued the route and the achievements obtained
, they also expressed their sadness at not having been able to hang a medal around their neck.
It is that both reached the Medal Race no longer able to get on the podium, due to a series of bad results in the eighth (14th) and the ninth regatta (10th), which coincided with the physical problems of Cecilia, who "He
was hard on his back
and he couldn't move on the boat," as his partner said.
Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza will cease to be a sports duo.
Photo / Gregorio Borgia / AP
"
We have a lot to be happy about
. I didn't want to go out on the water because I wasn't fighting for a medal, but I knew it was going to be the last race with Ceci," Lange said.
Then, he continued: "I have mixed emotions. I am very calm,
I have nothing to reproach
, I am proud of the work and dedication we had. We are also sad for not fulfilling our dream and our goal. We have been several days since the Medal ended. Race and they are not easy. "
For his part, Carranza added: "We do not have to blame ourselves for our dedication, which was absolute and unimaginable for anyone who did not see us up close.
There is that feeling of asking for forgiveness for not being able to fulfill what we wanted
. Appreciation for the support and the affection of so many people close and not close, at this moment that is hard. "
In addition, he remarked that "the entire team feels a great responsibility" for having "
interrupted the achievement of medals in this sport
for so many Olympic Games."
It is that
the yachting seemed to
be synonymous with medals for Argentina delegation
to the Atlanta least since 1996, when Carlos Espinola won silver in the Mistral class.
Later, in Sidney 2000, Espínola repeated her medal in the same category, while Javier Conte and Juan De La Fuente obtained bronze in the 470 class, while Serena Amato did it in the Europa class.
In Athens 2004, the already experienced Espínola got bronze in the Tornado class;
this time, pairing with Lange.
The same pair repeated the third place in Beijing 2008. In London 2012, De La Fuente and Lucas Calabrese sealed the bronze in the 470 class and, finally, Lange and Carranza obtained the first gold for the discipline, in Rio 2016.
Santiago Lange, Cecilia Carranza and a scene that will never be repeated.
Photo Lavandeira Jr / EFE
How did the Lange-Carranza duo meet?
While Cecilia Carranza Saroli began with the minor yachting classes, Lange made her name grow.
And his story.
Barcelona 1992 was lost due to a fight with the leaders, a Games for which he had qualified by meeting the requirement of finishing in the top 15 in a Pre-Olympic.
But he was able to renew his love of Olympism when he was ninth in the Laser class at Atlanta 1996 and 10th in the Tornado in Sydney 2000.
In Athens 2004,
he missed the gold
and finished with the bronze alongside Carlos Espínola in the same Tornado class.
In Beijing 2008, she shared the Games with Carranza: he returned to obtain the bronze with Espínola in Tornado and she was 12th.
in the Radial Laser class.
Four years later, in London 2012, Lange was absent because the Tornado stopped being Olympic and Carranza placed 21st.
in his last individual experience.
From that moment,
their paths met
.
Lange opted for the Nacra 17, a fast boat with similar characteristics to the Tornado, and had to choose a woman to accompany him as a crew member.
She couldn't say no.
The best of all was inviting her to run together ...
From there came
successes and frustrations
.
They were runners-up in the world in Santander in 2014, but also finished 13th in the traditional Princesa Sofía Tournament in Palma de Mallorca last year.
In 2016 they were top ten in two World Cup events, in Miami and Hyeres.
Until they concentrated on Rio de Janeiro to learn even the smallest detail of the regatta fields in Guanabara Bay.
The effort would have its reward on an unforgettable golden Tuesday.
DB
Look also
Tokyo 2020: yachting ended a successful cycle and winds of change are approaching
Tokyo 2020: the United States beat Spain and waits for Argentina or Australia in the semifinals