Preparing for the future olympics

Subject: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:09 pm

I am not sure as to whom represented Liberia at the 2008
Olympics:

As for swimming, I was awarded a non-academic scholarship in Budapest...that
was 2 years ago...few years after I returned for Dubai (www.dreamlanduae.com).

I think one of the greatest things in life is to feel the pride of representing
your nation. I turn that down...
Few weeks later, there was a swimming ToT workshop sponsored and facilitated by
the Olympic Body. It was nice and I am sure there were a lot learnt by our
local lifeguards. But again the trainer, from Egypt, started nagging me.

I stopped active swimming about a year, and then restarted. I wasn't too sure
that I was ready... that fact was that I begun practicing at a private pool...
The owner (a foreigner) refused that I do that. I am not gonna say the reason,
but it was clear that I was the only black always at the pool. At first, I was
denied registration, but after showing some old international identity, I was
accepted, but for mid-day only. I had to argue that I was a working man and had
time only at evening hours. I put in for 4 hours of swimming each day, and was
given 2. After 2 months, my registration was terminated. Reason being that I
was not a resident of the compound. God forgive me, but I hate discrimination,
and in my own home.
Many of the other guys (LNOC swimmers) were unlucky to practice like me, and
the salinity of the ocean to that of the pool are permanent factors that could
determine a good swimmer. As you are lighter in salt water as to pure water.
You could better perfect your diving and flip-turn skills, and evaluate you
body weight and tension.

I am happy that the grounds for the Liberia Olympic Village is already broken
and soon we'll have facility to improve and bring up would-be Olympic
representatives. All on good footing, we are preparing for the greatest of all
times full representation at the next Olympics. The success to any undertaking
is preparation.

There are a lot of potential out here... just a little bit of time and effort,
and all will be well.

The last time I spoke on behalf on the Liberian Swimming Confederation... I
keynoted that a lot of people (Liberians to be pointed) drown due to either
fright or lacking the ability to swim. Yeh... then lets teach it in our
schools, but until we can face the problem of facility...lets just keep hoping
for the best. I can assure you that had I not travelled out of Liberia, I would
still be like the guys who can't swim and wants to impress girls at the
beaches.
And that reminds me: I can't remember, but it was last year (some big holiday)
and the alumina of B.W. Harris (of which I am a member) had a beach party at
Musa's Beach. It was a disaster...but the good thing, there were 3 good guys
trying to save a life far in the deep. The lifeguard at the beach, a nice
swimmer, and me... I will never forget, as it took us 30mins to rescue just one
man trying to impress... Thank God I had some formal swimming international
training, else we were all doomed.

As swimming is one of the hardest sports, one needs more time. It is very easy
to learn, but difficult to do faster. All that said, your mind, body, and soul
moves in a harmonious rhythm. One bad note, and you are drinking water.

I still do when stressed.

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:16 pm

i like the water.. but dont know how to swim...do they have a place in monrovia that gives swimming lessons?
_________________
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."
~Vernon Sanders Law

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:07 pm

:)
Aside the Haddad Compound I paid, before, $25.00US monthly, I have no further idea. There are a lot of pools around town but never went further to ascertain information. A nice one somewhere 3rd/4th streets (opposite old Cote d'Ivoire Embassy)...another one we used during the swimming seminar...old Ambassador Hotel, now Mamba Point Hotel annex, one is at the Methodist Compound...
And these are nice pools, not just water basins.

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:11 pm

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:14 pm

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:15 pm

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:17 pm

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:18 pm

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:39 pm

Let me know the feed-back Geyla.

Candy, one day they will put you eye and life in a scale...and you will have to choose.

I brought back with me a pair of Arena swimming goggles... I can borrow them to you, or we put in international order for one. They should be less than $100US for a nice one.

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:00 pm

100? da plenty money you boy
so do you know any of them that give swimming lessons??
_________________
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."
~Vernon Sanders Law

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:23 pm

"Thous shall not lie" - No ma.

I could give you swimming lessons if we had a perfect vicinity.

I'll tell you a funny story. When I traveled, the plan was to work at this aqua park. The first day was eating and sleeping...the next day we lined-up before a nice shallow pool (called Wave Pool cuz it produces waves like the ocean).
The first guy was called by his name: puff, he jumped into the pool, and crossed it..then next guy the same,...when it was my turn...I nicely jumped into a diving motion...straight into the pool...splash. Then, I want stand. That day, i will never forget. I drank...no one came to my aid sooner cuz they expected me to know a bit about swimming.

I was given 7 days to master swimming (including the breast-stroke, side-strokes, back-strokes, free-style...they spared me butterfly)...

If I did not meet-up with their demands, my ticket to Monrovia was already ready, and at the time, it was 'war-war-1/2' in Monrovia.

7 days was too much for me. On the 9th day, it was an all-lifeguard training session. We cued up.

On you marks, get set, GO!
Againm the same old wave-pool. You have to touch one end of the wall and come back. At lease, I came 3rd. That saved me from 'war-war1/2'

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:42 pm

oh!.... interesting story....
so you learned the hard way???? hahaha
_________________
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."
~Vernon Sanders Law

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:48 pm

just as you say: Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."

In short, experience can not be substituted.

Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:53 pm

hahaha.. nu ma..
so you live in liberia?
_________________
Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."
~Vernon Sanders Law

Joined : 02 May 2008 Posts : 280 My Mood :

Nice, McNeal!!!!!