After successfully conduct of the first two series of swimming time trials for selection into the Sierra Leone National Swimming Team held at the Swimming Complex of the National Stadium, the Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Association will conduct another trial series on Wednesday this week at the same venue.
At the conclusion of the first two trials, President of the Association, Alhaji Dr. A.T. Fadlu-Deen who was Chief Judge at the trials, commented to this reporter: “The objective of these trials is to transparently select the best qualified swimmers who will represent the country at the London 2012 Olympics, in July this year. We have invited the media to watch and report on the events and we invited the public to gauge their perceptions. This is to make sure those who deserve the selection get it,” he stated.
In all, eight athletes competed in the different strokes (Breast Stroke, Back Stroke, Butterfly and Freestyle) at the time trials and in the team Medley which is a combination of all four strokes in a relay pattern.
Many spectators were impressed with the step taken by the Swimming Association to conduct a public time trials so that swimmers with the best times after the series of trials represent the country. In the past, swimmers were selected to represent the country without competing in a trial.
When asked why the sudden change, Mr. Victor G.M. Hastings-Spaine, who also served as Starter replied, “We have a vibrant and efficient administration that intends to take swimming in Sierra Leone to another level and by conducting such a transparent competition, we believe that we will succeed in attracting more members to the association as well as sponsors for the National Team.”
He noted that most of the swimmers have improved on their individual times but a few have deteriorated, and disclosed that they will conduct the next trials on Wednesday, 25th January and invited the public.
Since early January, the team has been rigorously training twice daily under the Direction of Mr. Victor Carew so that the swimmers can achieve the required fitness and discipline to reach their goals in the time trials.
Osman Kamara swum the best time of 1.16.02 seconds in the 100m Freestyle and 28.89 in the 50m Freestyle; and in the Butterfly with 37.51 seconds; Morris Beale and Sahr James followed closely with 1.18.43 seconds and 1.20.10 seconds respectively in the 100m Freestyle; and 30.64.13 seconds and 31.97.12 seconds in the 50m Freestyle. Morris Beale got the best times in the Butterfly and Breaststroke events with 38.70 seconds and 40.7 seconds respectively.
The six best qualified swimmers will spend five weeks in a training camp in the Bavaria region of Germany. They will continue training under the hands of Coaches Gert Mueller and Herbert Bernauer before leaving for the London Games.
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