Hello, my name is Alex Portal, I’m a physics and chemistry student in my second year of a
university foundation course. I am also a top-level swimming athlete. I train ten times a week. THE BIFACE INTERVIEW
ALEX PORTAL THE MEANING OF TEAM SPIRIT Team spirit is being able to support and help each other, giving your input to a common project, sharing nice moments together and being proud of the final result. YOUR CURRENT BIG PROJECT Working towards the World championships in June. Trying to get my grades up in the second semester. At the moment I’m at 9.4 and I need to get more than 10.6 in the second semester. And I’m also working
hard on my front crawl because that’s where
I have the most chance of becoming world champion. YOUR BIGGEST FAN My whole family, but especially my grandfather. For example, there’s this Belarusian who is often world champion or Paralympic champion. He has already spoken to him in Russian to tell him about me. He’s a really big fan! THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE
THAT MEANS THE MOST TO YOU Water management and cleaning up the oceans. YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT Passing my first year last year while training for Tokyo on the side. Then winning the silver medal in Tokyo. YOUR SECRET WEAPON I don’t really have a secret weapon. Before my races, I spit in the water. It’s not very hygienic but I do it anyway, for luck. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU Loads of things. The dreams I had when I was a kid and still have now. To be better than others. To be able to do a job that I like after my career as a top sportsman. To be the best person I can be. YOUR SPORT /
PROFESSIONAL LIFE BALANCE It’s no secret, I always try to do my best and that means being supported by family, friends and all those who believe in me. YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE My next challenge is to pass this year. The World championships. Getting under 4 min
in the 400 m freestyle. Winning a gold medal. After that, finding my way so that it’s easier to combine my life
in professional sport with my studies. WITH OUR ATHLETES FOR 2024