The nation’s hopes will once again lie with swimming golden girl, Kirsty Coventry, who has so far not disappointed. Coventry will take to the pool hoping for a best performance in three events -100m backstroke, 100m and 200m Individual Medley.
Making probably her last appearance, she will have to pay attention to such youthful swimmers as the USA’s 18-year-old Missy Franklin, who lurk on the blind side, ready to steal her thunder.
Dislocation of a kneecap having already seen her bow out of the 400m, the Zimbabwean will be out to make amends by winning all three events.
“In athletics, older runners tend to go for longer races, but it’s the opposite in swimming because your body can’t handle the endurance. I will have to be more open to focusing on the shorter events and just be comfortable with that,” said Coventry recently.
“The young swimmers have the ability to recover a lot quicker – in training and in competition. I have the advantage of knowing what I am walking into, I know my body and what I can and can’t do. It’s a wisdom that comes with age and experience. I am confident that I have been there and been successful and I will definitely be working that to my advantage.”
Coventry won Zimbabwe’s only four medals at the Beijing Games to place Zimbabwe 38th out of 70 competing nations.
Other representatives of Team Zimbabwe are Wirimayo Juwawo, Cuthbert Nyasango, Sharon Tawengwa (Marathon), Chris Felgate (Triathlon), Micheen Thornycroft, James Fraser-Mackenzie (Rowing). The only returning athlete from the Beijing showcase four years ago is Felgate. All the others will be hoping to make an impressive debut.
Post published in: Sport