Amaistroaie calm ahead of last-minute scrap for Olympic spot

Madalina Amaistroaie is the archer ranked highest in the world without an Olympic spot.

The clock is ticking and with just a month left to Tokyo, she still hasn’t secured a quota. This week’s tournament in Paris marks the last opportunity for the 18-year-old to book a ticket – after a breakout season.

When archers could finally return to the shooting line after a forced break lasting more than a year during the pandemic, she delivered some superb results, including a final four berth at the Hyundai Archery World Cup opener in Guatemala City.

The Olympic quota isn’t based on the world ranking. Amaistroaie needs to win her spot in a tournament.

But she is convinced there isn’t additional pressure. She seems to be confident ahead of the final qualifier.

“Already in Antalya [at the Europeans], I spoke about confidence and now I think I’m even more confident. Antalya was a bit of a hard time. But now I’m ready for that tournament,” she said after Friday’s training session.

“I wouldn’t say it’s pressure. It’s more like mixed feelings. It’s the qualification tournament and everybody here wants to qualify. So do I.”

Amaistroaie will turn 19 years old only a few months after Tokyo.

Looking along the line to long-time Greek Olympian Evangelia Psarra, who fights for her sixth Olympic ticket in Paris, it’s clear that this talented young Romanian archer has plenty of time ahead. But, if an opportunity arises now, she will grasp it.

“Yes. If it happens, it will be great,” she said. “If not, as I said, I still have time. But it would be great to go to Tokyo!”

The first practice session in Paris was promising for Madalina. She’s ready.

The individual quota spots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be awarded on Monday.