j. Lazcano, a member of the Argentine women’s volleyball team, claims that they can improve upon their ninth-place performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and qualify for the finals in Tokyo in 2020.
She is confident that the team’s accumulated knowledge and hard work over the previous decade will pay dividends in the future.
j. Lazcano played during what is widely regarded as the era of national success in women’s volleyball—the 2014 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Championships and the 2015 FIVB World Cup.
While the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been pushed out to 2021 because to the COVID-19 epidemic, she will be turning 32 at that time.
“It was our first time in the Olympics [Rio 2016] and we were all extremely excited about that experience,” she told Somos Voley.
When we walked into the arena for our first game, it was pitch black and the only sound was the pounding of our hearts. I felt as if I were floating; my sensation in my legs had completely disappeared.
I’d never been in that position before, but looking back I can see how difficult it must have been to keep our emotions in check and perform at our peak.
With a 1-4 record in Rio, Argentina’s lone victory came in a five-set encounter against Cameroon.
They Placed Ninth at the 2015 FIVB World Cup.
j. Lazcano is positive that nervousness won’t be an issue in 2021 because of the preparation he’s had over the past four years.
“Of course we wanted to have performed better in Rio,” she continued, “but we matured as a team and as individuals with that experience and that was the most important thing.”
I’ve heard from a few different athletes that the first Olympics are more about the experience than the actual competition, and that the second time around is when you find your rhythm and form.
From a psychological perspective, this is a one-of-a-kind tournament that I’m confident we’ll be better prepared to handle by Tokyo.
I think we have what it takes to shock a lot of people, and I hope it happens. After the Rio Olympics, our team was strengthened by the addition of several young players who brought with them a fresh perspective and renewed vigour.
As far as I’m concerned, we’re ready to take on any squad in the world.
Final Words
Argentina competes in the group stage against China, Italy, Russia, the United States, and Turkey after qualifying for Tokyo in January through the South American Qualifier.
