This week marks the start of the Olympic Games in Paris. Psychology student Aleksandra Melzacka, together with her crew member Sandra Jankowiak, will represent Poland in sailing in the 49erFX class. Join us for an interview with the athlete on the eve of the Games.

Karolina Żuk-Wieczorkiewicz: - Passion, pleasure, sport - what is sailing to you?

Aleksandra Melzacka: - Sailing is definitely a passion for me. It is a pleasure, but you have to remember that it is also hard work and you tend to lose more often than win, so you have to get used to it. It is definitely an adventure of a lifetime for me, which teaches me discipline and organisation. I also get to know a lot of people through it, and fortunately they are always positive people.

- This is the second time you have qualified for the Olympic Games (the previous one was in Tokyo). How did you receive the first and second information about your participation in the Polish national team?

- The news of my participation in the first Olympics was very exciting for me, especially because of my injury, because of which there was a possibility that I would not qualify. Thanks to my team and our hard work, we managed to get this qualification. It was a big relief, joy and certainly excitement. There was also a lot of excitement about the injury the second time around. This time my current crew Sandra Jankowiak got injured and we didn't have enough time to prepare for the qualification, so we fought for it during the last regatta in France. There's a lot of excitement too, but maybe I'm approaching it with more distance now because I know what it will look like more or less. There's always a lot of action around the Olympic Games, there are slightly different rules on shore. I try to have a distance to it so I don't waste too much energy. And on the water it's the same as at other tournaments anyway, so I try to remember to do the same good job as always.

- At the Olympics you are competing in the double-crew class. What are the biggest challenges in preparing for a tandem competition?

- A big challenge is the fact that I spend about 220 days a year with my crew and coach. This requires learning how to function and communicate together, especially in the more difficult moments. I think we have the power within us to be able to talk through tough issues, clear up misunderstandings and admit mistakes. This is probably the biggest challenge, to get along despite difficulties and still have a common goal and a good atmosphere. We have already mastered this and it is definitely our strength.

- You are studying psychology. Does the knowledge you gain during your studies help you in your sporting struggles?

- Yes, I am studying sports psychology. There are subjects that are strongly linked to what I do on a daily basis, for example mindfulness. It's nice to come to class and say something from your experience, something you've experienced, for credit. It's definitely an enjoyable course for me, and it helps me to look at sports from a broader perspective and better understand the processes that go on in an athlete's head.

- What expectations do you have for the Paris Olympics?

- I try not to have result expectations because they don't tend to help me. We've put a lot of work into preparing for the Games, the last training camp was very fruitful - I'd like us to use the skills we've learned and see where it takes us. We're capable of racing against any of the top crews, so we'll see how it all works out. We have no control over how the other crews sail, so we will focus on ourselves. The point is not to have too many expectations and focus as much as possible on performance. We will certainly sail as well as we can. We're going to Paris focused on going up against every crew and we'll see how the cards unfold.

- To whom would you recommend getting involved in sailing?

- I would recommend sailing to anyone. There are many forms of sailing, it doesn't have to be professional. You can go sailing as a tourist, for example in the Mazurian Lake District, you can do a sailing patent and sail smaller yachts. I would recommend that children try sailing on an Optimist and that parents encourage this activity. Of course, it is not a sport for everyone, but it is worth trying to face the elements and the forces of nature, it is something really beautiful. Adults are also encouraged to do it, because when we are on the water, we forget everything else, full concentration is needed. There is a completely different atmosphere on the water, a different environment, positive emotions and often adrenaline. When sailing, you can relax, and if you like competition, you can also chase each other. I also recommend it to others, because it is a beautiful passion.