JULY is five months away and with the Commonwealth Games slated for that month, preparations for Fiji’s swimmers takes new form as it sees them compete to make the cut for the Glasgow, Scotland outing.
The sport has been allocated a quota of eight athletes, and from this, four male and four female swimmers will be the nation’s hopes of a podium finish once they dive into action.
Part of ensuring the nation’s swimming contingent are selected is seeing them strut their stuff at national meets, such as the Grand Prix and the Open Nationals.
The Grand Prix events for this year were held on Saturday, January 31 and last Saturday at the Damodar National Aquatic Centre in Suva.
National coach Willie Elaisa says the competition for these spots will intensify from younger swimmers making a mark at the Grand Prix meets. “The younger ones, I can see them making their way up,” Elaisa pointed out.
“I think for most of the swimmers, it’s about whether you want it or not.
“It’s a long journey so those who are serious about going to Glasgow, I think if you watch, you will almost notice the standout swimmers.”
But in seeing the progress of these prospective national representatives, it will take a united effort to ensure these athletes are ready for what will come.
“I think our jobs as coaches and administrators is to encourage our athletes to think that anything is possible,” he emphasised and used the analogy of the national rugby sevens team to further instil his point.
“A lot of times, those boys always leave our shores expecting to win. They have that mindset.”
“If you want it, if you think you can do it, then anything is possible.”
