POLINA DJUROVA Vice-champion in Paralympic games in Atlanta – 1996 Silver and bronze medalist in European Swimming Cup

POLINA DJUROVA For Poli’s family sport is tradition. For Poli’s family sport is tradition. Her parents has been elite athletes, national and Balkans record-holders and champions. Her older brother is also athlete. Her parents has been elite athletes, national and Balkans record-holders and champions. Her older brother is also athlete. Poli’s first memories are from stadiums and sports halls. Poli’s first memories are from stadiums and sports halls.

POLINA DJUROVA She began to swim in very early ages. She began to swim in very early ages. Later without leaving swimming she started practicing athletics – high jump. Later without leaving swimming she started practicing athletics – high jump. She demonstrated very good sports achievement and excellent results in school and enter a Sports College. She demonstrated very good sports achievement and excellent results in school and enter a Sports College. Everything have been perfect till the car accident when she was 15 years old. Everything have been perfect till the car accident when she was 15 years old.

POLINA DJUROVA She was 15 days in coma, long months in the hospital, two years in bed fighting for life. She was 15 days in coma, long months in the hospital, two years in bed fighting for life. Because of the brain injury she had to remain in wheelchair for her all left life. Because of the brain injury she had to remain in wheelchair for her all left life. Her existence was broken up into “before” and “after”. Her existence was broken up into “before” and “after”.

POLINA DJUROVA From “Before” – she did not remember a lot. From “Before” – she did not remember a lot. “After” – she could not speak, write, walk. “After” – she could not speak, write, walk. Treatment courses - in Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, USA. In Bulgaria – everywhere. The results – nearly any. Treatment courses - in Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, USA. In Bulgaria – everywhere. The results – nearly any. The only sticked in her dreams, day- dieams, toughs was sport. The only sticked in her dreams, day- dieams, toughs was sport.

POLINA DJUROVA Very long time she had a lot a difficulties even entering a swimming pool. She had to almost crawling from the wheelchair. In water she started again to feel the freedom and the pleasure of motion. Very long time she had a lot a difficulties even entering a swimming pool. She had to almost crawling from the wheelchair. In water she started again to feel the freedom and the pleasure of motion. Something more – in water she felt better than others. Something more – in water she felt better than others. It took months, seasons, years, also pains, anger, tears. It took months, seasons, years, also pains, anger, tears.

POLINA DJUROVA In years later in Sofia she was again the first one, the best in the competition of disabled. In years later in Sofia she was again the first one, the best in the competition of disabled. After that she decided to participate in European Swimming Championship in France. Her first coach and masseur was her father. After that she decided to participate in European Swimming Championship in France. Her first coach and masseur was her father. In France Poli finished first, but she was declassed, because of the “small mistake”. In France Poli finished first, but she was declassed, because of the “small mistake”.

POLINA DJUROVA In the same competition she received her class – S6. In the same competition she received her class – S participate in European Special Olympics Games in Athens participate in European Special Olympics Games in Athens.

POLINA DJUROVA 1996 – Paralympic games in Atlanta – Paralympic games in Atlanta. She was prepared competing only in the best her discipline – 100m. backstroke. She won there a silver medal. The atmosphere during the Games and Olympic maxim induced Poli to participate in some other swimming disciplines. The atmosphere during the Games and Olympic maxim induced Poli to participate in some other swimming disciplines.

POLINA DJUROVA Before Paralympic Games in Sidney Poli lived in USA with her mother. Before Paralympic Games in Sidney Poli lived in USA with her mother. She went in Sidney without taken part in international competitions in Europe. She went in Sidney without taken part in international competitions in Europe. Bulgarian delegation asked a wild card for her, but she did not receive it.

POLINA DJUROVA In 2001 she entered a Sports Faculty at National Sports Academy - Sofia. Her specialization is swimming. In 2001 she entered a Sports Faculty at National Sports Academy - Sofia. Her specialization is swimming. Now she is in third year. Sometimes Poli meets difficulties in her studies, but she is working very hard, she pass successfully all exams and everybody in Academy respects this lovely girl. Now she is in third year. Sometimes Poli meets difficulties in her studies, but she is working very hard, she pass successfully all exams and everybody in Academy respects this lovely girl.

POLINA DJUROVA In last 5 years the best Bulgarian swimmers and trainers are in NSA`s Sports Club. In last 5 years the best Bulgarian swimmers and trainers are in NSA`s Sports Club. It was a big chance for Poli to have a trainer, prepared the best Bulgarian swimmer, we have ever had – twice Olympian champion – Tanja Bogomilova. It was a big chance for Poli to have a trainer, prepared the best Bulgarian swimmer, we have ever had – twice Olympian champion – Tanja Bogomilova. The results came soon: The results came soon:

POLINA DJUROVA 2003 – European Cup in Brno, Czech Republic – European Cup in Brno, Czech Republic. Poli is the only representative of Bulgaria. She won: Silver medal - 100m. backstroke Silver medal - 100m. backstroke Bronze medal - 100m. freestyle Bronze medal - 100m. freestyle Bronze medal – 50m. freestyle Bronze medal – 50m. freestyle Bronze medal – 50m. butterfly Bronze medal – 50m. butterfly

POLINA DJUROVA At the same competition she was so impressive, that they decided to change her class. She was laid in S7. She was laid in S7. It is important to note some facts: –For athletes with brain injuries is used classification rules for CP (CP-ISRA classification), because both conditions are non-progressive impairments of central nerve system. –According the same classification, improvement of sports techniques and results are not the reason of changing the classes.

POLINA DJUROVA Do somebody believe that Polina's neurological status is changed in a period between eight and sixteenth year after the incidence? Do somebody believe that Polina's neurological status is changed in a period between eight and sixteenth year after the incidence? 2003 – a difficult surgical intervention, because of joint instability of paretic leg, with long period of recovery – a difficult surgical intervention, because of joint instability of paretic leg, with long period of recovery.

POLINA DJUROVA 2004 – Poli trained a lot for Paralympic Games – Poli trained a lot for Paralympic Games. Two months before Games, she left without trainer. He understood that in the new class Poli could not win. Two months before Games, she left without trainer. He understood that in the new class Poli could not win. She finded another trainer and persisted working, but this did not help her. She finded another trainer and persisted working, but this did not help her.

POLINA DJUROVA She had to participate in 5 swimming discipline in a new class. It was a big stress for her. She had to participate in 5 swimming discipline in a new class. It was a big stress for her. She did not enter any final. She was declassed in one discipline, because she missed to touch the wall with both hands. She did not enter any final. She was declassed in one discipline, because she missed to touch the wall with both hands. Her presentation is defined in Sofia as unsatisfactory. Her presentation is defined in Sofia as unsatisfactory.

POLINA DJUROVA Now she is not angry. Now she is not angry. She is only achamed of her bad results, and she is afraid about her future in the sport. She is only achamed of her bad results, and she is afraid about her future in the sport. Me, I am ashamed too, because she is feeling like this. Me, I am ashamed too, because she is feeling like this.