Beijing bound swimmers below par -coach

Rwanda swimmers preparing for the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games are still way far from where they are supposed to be with only four months to the games.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Rwanda swimmers preparing for the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games are still way far from where they are supposed to be with only four months to the games.

This is the verdict of their coach Jack Ngabonziza who has been handling their training for the last couple of weeks at Hotel Novotel.

"Before took over their training, they have not had any formal training in regards to their preparations for the Olympics.

"They have been training in poor conditions yet time left is simply not enough to put them to a level where you expect them to give a worth fight against the some of the best competitors from across the world," Ngabonziza stated.

Ngabonziza is in charge of the team temporarily but he’s in talks with both the local swimmers body and the National Olympics Committee with a view to make his position permanent.

The three swimmers in training include; Pamela Girimbabazi, Aimable Habimana, and Jackson Niyomugabo.

They have been training twice a day for the last two weeks and according to their coach, they are signs of improvement and can do event better given the appropriate training.

"We are trying to get them some international events to participate in as part of their preparations," said Thierry Ntwari, Chief de Mission for Rwanda’s Beijing bound delegation.

Five sports disciplines that include athletics, swimming, cycling, boxing and Paralympics have been selected to represent Rwanda at the Beijing Games scheduled for August 8-24.

Ends