Kristel Köbrich (38 years old) doesn’t take pauses, it’s her style. She has been demonstrating this with medals since 2002, the year in which she participated at the South American Games held in Sao Paulo.
She has been living in Cordoba, Argentina, for 18 years and from this country, where she has consolidated her incredible career, she gave us an special interview in which she referred to her sensations related to the International Women’s Day (March 8th), highlighting and promoting equality regarding gender issues in sports.
But, let’s go back in time. ‘Kris’ started with her passion for sports since she was a child, debuting at school in athletics and later swimming. This experience allowed her to demonstrate her innate talent and physical conditions that let her focus and be successful in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle swimming.
“We have the same passion, discipline, and conviction. A lot of times that’s not demonstrated, it’s not visible” she told us after finishing her training.
Kristel Köbrich compitiendo en los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokyo 2020. (Foto: Comité Olímpico de Chile).
Which are the values that athletes are leaving in Chile and in the world?
We’re capable of anything, no matter our sexual differences or our sizes. Here, results, passion, and success talk; so all these things are the ones that are gradually being sized and equalized over time. We (women) are also here, we exist and want the same treatment, same reception. This is not to minimize or maximize women, it’s just a balance that little by little has been marked, written, and is still trying to go down that path. There really are sports for everyone.
How do you perceive the advances regarding gender and equality in sports?
I consider it’s a very important advance. Social media helps a lot to make this visible, for example, when there’s a result about a woman or man: maybe the woman had a more important result but she’s still not treated the same way. This is why I consider that the feedback from social media can be used positively. Gradually,it is being understood and interest is being generated so that it can be seen that we continue doing what we like to do with or without this visualization.
Kristel opines that “this potential, sometimes, could be used in some other way. I’m not just talking about men and women, but also at sports level. When you love what you do, it doesn’t matter if it’s seen more or less. You’re here and nowadays we’re becoming more and more present, because we’re talking more and communicating more, and that highlights more.”
Kristel Köbrich after participating during the Asuncion 2022 South American Games (Picture from: Chilean Olympic Committee).
What message would you like to share with girls, boys and teenagers that are starting their sports careers?
I would like to tell them to feel, enjoy, learn, to fall and rise again. To live the team spirit, no matter if they’re wearing the Chilean, regional or school t-shirt. There’s a fire inside us that buzzes us, motivates us and makes us understand that we’re choosing a different path, a different but novel one.
The ambassador of these Games continues her reflection: “there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing this reflected in a tournament, training, workshop or social activity, or recreational, doesn’t matter what but it’s important to enjoy it. I consider it’s essential that we can all enjoy and comprehend that movement and physical activity are as important as other activities such as eating, resting, enjoying with the family, studying, and moving.
“Over the time you’ll be able to go through the professional line, a more dedicated and disciplined line, but at the beginning it has to be more related to enjoying, understanding yourself, knowing yourself and what you’re doing. Move forward with that choice, a sport, art or music; it doesn't matter what you choose, what matters is to understand and enjoy it, and after that share it with others. That’s something beautiful,” with these words the historic Chilean athlete ended the interview.
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