|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 7 September 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Conrad Francis' ambition - to be among the 16 best at Athens Olympics in 2004 by LESLIE FERNANDO Scaling the tip of an iceberg to be at least among the first sixteen swimmers at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. This is the dream ambition of Sri Lanka's golden boy of swimming Conrad Francis. The 21 year-old Sri Lanka swimming sensation Conrad who landed two historic gold medals in the 50 metres and 100 metres butterfly stroke events at the 3rd Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Macao, China last month, said," 'I'm making every effort to be amongst the best 16 swimmers in the world, come the 2004 Olympics'." Of course, the local hero is quietly confident of the goal ahead. 'At the moment I'm really on top and to stay on top until the 2004 Olympics is hard and vigorous training is essential,' said Francis. But he also knows that there will be no short cuts. Hard training forms a routine covering 2 1/2 hours training session four times a week, morning and night followed by three hours in the gym three times a week to stay trim and be ready to face stiff competitions in fact, his efforts have been noticed by the Australian media. The 'Daily Telegraph' in a wide splash on the sports page titled 'Lankan swimmer in training for Games' had this to say of the Sri Lankan swimmer 'When you're tucked up warm in bed about 5 a.m. spare a thought for Rouwville swimmer Conrad Francis." Francis went to Australia in 1997 on a scholarship from the Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee to improve his skills for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He attended Rouwville Secondary College from Year 10 and successfully completed his Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) there. He studied Electronic Engineering at Swinburne and eventually hopes to combine swim coaching with work in the computer hardware area. Francis said he was grateful to coach Leigh Nugent who helped him in getting him up to Olympic standard. Francis has drawn inspiration from his grandfather who used to take him to the beach in Colombo and taught him to swim. "Grandpa's dead and I'm doing it for him now," added the champion swimmer. Francis who won laurels in Macao left for Australia on Friday to continue his studies at Swinburne University and undergo swim coaching in preparation for the next Olympics. He will train under two top swimming coaches Nugent and Mark Thompson. The story how Francis won two gold medals at Macao. It's like this - he was invited by National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka to swim at the postponed SAF Games in Pakistan this year. Afterwards he was automatically selected to swim at the FINA World Championships in July in Barcelona, Spain in July where he qualified to swim at the 2004 Athens Olympics. On return from Barcelona, he was to get back to Australia to continue studies. But the writer (who has followed his swimming progress from his younger age) and Wasantha Karannagoda NAASU President wanted Conrad Francis to participate at the 3rd Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Macao as both the writer and Wasantha was confident that Francis will win gold medals. Francis had this to say on his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport. "I was persuaded to go over to Macao and swim by the writer and Wasantha Karannagoda. I acceded to their requests and won two golds," said Francis. This same statement was also made by Francis at the NAASU felicitation ceremony held at the Akasa Kade on Tuesday (September 2.) night. Francis said his winning two gold medals at Macao was not a surprise as he was in good form after the Barcelona meet. Furthermore my travelling five days ahead of the meet with coach E.G.A. Wilson to Macao helped him to get accustomed to the climatic conditions, environment and the swimming pool where the meet was held. He thanked coach Wilson and his trainer Ruwan Manawadu for their guidance and motivation. 'I never had a sponsor, but I'm ever grateful to NAASU President Rear. Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and specially Rajeev Senanayake NAASU Exco member to find finances. Mr. Senanayake was responsible for finding more sponsors after my winning two gold medals for the country," a grateful Francis said. Finally Conrad Francis thanked all including Johnston Fernando, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for sending him congratulatory messages on his performances." Their messages have really pepped me up." quipped Francis. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
