Swimming Athletes Draw Government's Attention
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The Olympic Games in Athens, Greece will start in
August 2004, but not much is being seen as far as preparation is
concerned. As a result, two athletes that are likely to be in Greece
have chosen to draw the attention of the government of Liberia.
Patrick Chea and Kortu Ross, two members of the
national swimming team, told our reporter that it is frustrating
that the country is yet to get support from the government in order
to begin early preparation.
With news that the Liberian delegation to the
Olympics would include athletes representing track and field, table
tennis and swimming, the duo said they have embarked on "serious"
training exercises because they said, "it will be the first that
swimming will be at the Olympics for Liberia."
The swimmers said, "we appeal to the
government to come to our aid and to have the country represented at
the Olympics."
When afforded the chance, the swimmers said their dream
is to place the country on the map of swimming.
"The government shouldn't look at only football
because swimming, track and field, table tennis, boxing and
basketball can also bring money and trophies to the country," the
two swimmers noted.
Although one would believe that the country only
intends to participate in the competition, the swimmers stated, "we
are not just going to participate, rather, we have the ability to
perform at the Olympics, but the government must take the lead by
giving helping hand to the sporting bodies responsible."
Former swimming champion Patrick Chea said, "as
for me, I am fit and have been training to make my mark out there
because it is my first time."
They then lauded the efforts of the president of the
Liberia National Swimming Federation, S. Ahmad Tukpah, and his
secretary general, Attorney-at-Law Sylvester D. Rennie, for
sponsoring a number of swimming championships over the years.
They, meanwhile, extended an open invitation to
potential swimmers to join the national team so as to beef up its
strength.
"Even though there is no money for now, the sport should not
be underestimated."
The athletes observed that swimming keeps one fit,
reason for which they are encouraging others to join the sport. "Let
them come and join the swimming band wagon."
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