Olympic-bound swimmer Lai Kwan quits national team

PETALING JAYA: Swimmer Chui Lai Kwan, one of the two Malaysian women – along with Khoo Cai Lin – to have met the qualifying marks for the London Olym­pics so far, has dropped a bombshell by quitting the national team.

Lai Kwan, citing burnout as a reason, said she wants to take a break for the rest of the year and does not want to swim at the Indonesia SEA Games.

The 21-year-old Sandakan lass recently improved on her national record in the 50m freestyle to beat the Olympic invitation time for the London Olympics at the World University Games in Shanghai.

She is adamant that the Shanghai meet “is the last competition for me this year”.

“I am just tired. Swimming has taken out a lot from me and I don’t want to go to another SEA Games,” said the 21-year-old, who holds the national records for the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the 100m backstroke.

Her decision is a big blow to the country’s hopes of having a strong gold medal challenger in the women’s freestyle and backstroke disciplines at the SEA Games.

But it seems that burnout is not the only reason for her calling it quits. The 2007 Korat SEA Games gold medallist is also irked by the National Sports Council’s (NSC) refusal to extend her request for additional leave.

“I was asked to report back to camp at Bukit Jalil on Sept 5 ... I wanted it extended a bit to Sept 9. But it was refused and I was given a letter warning me to return on Sept 5 or action will be taken against me,” she said.

“I am surprised as this is the first time this has happened to me. I always feel homesick as my hometown is far and I cannot go back often because of training and competitions.

“That’s why I requested for a longer break.

“It’s frustrating because I’ve given a lot to swimming,” added Lai Kwan, who has not given up on her dream to compete in the Olympics next year.

She plans to train with her mother back in her hometown Sandakan, the same place where former Asian Games gold medallist swimmer Alex Lim Keng Liat comes from.

“My mother understands and supports my decision.

“She said it’s better to quit than to force myself to swim under these circumstances,” said Lai Kwan, who was also the only Malaysian swimmer to make the final at the New Delhi Common­wealth Games and Guangzhou Asian Games last year.

“I also have faith in her because she guided me when I won the SEA Games gold medal (in 2007).”