FORMER Marist Brothers High School student Meli Malani is trying hard to fly Fiji’s flag at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Malani who was on a Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) scholarship in the United States for one year, returned on Tuesday.
He said it was a learning experience in the USA.
“They live, sleep and breathe swimming there,” Malani said.
“We need to be in that zone to compete with the best.
“In terms of facilities, we are not too bad when compared with countries of similar size but at the end of the day it is not about facilities but about commitment and sacrifice.”
Malani has clocked 23.3seconds in his favourite 50 metre freestyle event. He needs to clock 23.03 to book a ticket to Brazil.
“There are no excuses to success,” he said.
“Success is not always about winning, but being better at each outing
“Fiji swimmers need to participate in more international competitions.
“There needs to be more regional events which are healthy in the build-up to the world championships.”
Malani who hails from Nakorotubu in Ra said according to their slogan ma’e na ma’e which means we never ever give up, he would try his best to qualify for the Olympics.
