KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 pandemic may have wrecked the dreams of many athletes but it has not diminished swimmer Welson Sim’s (pic) determination to qualify for his second Olympics.
Measures taken by authorities worldwide to curb the pandemic have forced the cancellation of many swimming tournaments but the Sarawakian is taking it in his strides.
Welson said the restrictions imposed were necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of athletes.
Nevertheless, he will have to make up for lost time as he plunged into the pool, with his mind still focused on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in July.
“We have previously been out of the pool for months, so I think we should optimise the time we have now to do more training. I make the most of this time to reach the best level of fitness that I expect of myself and eventually make it in the qualifiers.
“I do not think we are lacking anything important through these cancellations, as it also gives us time to step up our efforts in training.
“Every time an event is cancelled, we always make up by having time-trial which gives us a good idea of our performance level even though it is unofficial, ” he said.
The 23-year-old, who made his Olympics debut in Rio 2016, said he is in good shape to press ahead to qualify for Tokyo.
In order to achieve his target, Welson will undergo 10 to 12 pool training sessions and three gym-based workouts a week.
Welson, who bagged 12 medals including three golds in four SEA Games, is part of an eight-member team undergoing quarantine-based training at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil.
On Monday, Malaysia Swimming confirmed the cancellation of the 57th Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships, an Olympics qualifier scheduled for March 4-7, due to the extension of the movement control order. — Bernama
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