AREVALO Samantha

General
TRAINING IN EUROPE
Between 2017 and 2019 she trained in Rome, Italy, alongside coach Fabrizio Antonelli. After the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, she met French coach Philippe Lucas who invited her to work with him in France. "I am now with the best coach and I'm very happy to be in this team. I'm learning a lot from them and I'm very thankful for this chance." She says her move away from home was worth it following her qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "I have been out of my country for five years, out of my home. However, I think that every sacrifice has its reward, because [in June 2021] I was able to qualify for the Olympic Games. At this point I think it was a wise decision to come to Europe, first to Italy and then to France." (primicias.ec, 14 Jul 2020; elobservador.ec, 09 Jan 2020; elcomercio.com, 08 Jun 2019; deporte.gob.ec, 04 Jun 2018; ecuaonline.com, 23 Jun 2021)

OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo will be her third appearance at the Olympic Games, and she believes her previous experiences at the event will serve her well. "Swimming is a sport that every year we see younger swimmers excel, making the level increase a lot, however, I think that definitely experience is also essential. In my personal case, I come to Tokyo with experience, I will try to exploit it to the fullest in order to represent my country in the best way. I dare to dream, despite the fact that my rivals are very strong and in my discipline there are not many references in terms of times, because it depends a lot on the conditions and the adaptation of each [race]." (ecuaonline.com, 23 Jun 2021)

She became the first competitor representing Ecuador to win a medal in open water swimming at the world championships when she claimed silver in the 10km at the 2017 edition in Budapest, Hungary. (SportsDeskOnline, 10 Mar 2020)

She became the first Ecuadorian female swimmer to compete in open water swimming at the Olympic Games when she participated in the 10km at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 10 Mar 2020)

She became the first Ecuadorian female athlete to win a medal in open water swimming at the Pan American Games when she claimed bronze in the 10km at the 2015 Games in Toronto, ON, Canada. (SportsDeskOnline, 10 Mar 2020)