DEEP END
(Swimmers Gear Up For SEA Games With Swimming World Cup 2009)
By Team Singapore Editorial
Singapore's swimmers (pix) will find the going tough at this coming weekend's Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup 2009 competition held here. But being thrown into the deep end against world class stars can only be good for those who are using this meet as part of their preparations for the SEA Games in Laos next month (December).
Towards Vientiane
Among swimmers heading for Vientiane are Tao Li, Quah Ting Wen, Roanne Ho, Lynette Lim, Marcus Cheah, Rainer Ng, Zach Ong, Clement Lim and Mark Tan. There they are expected to hold their own well against regional rivals from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. For example, Tao Li is expected to shine in the butterfly and backstroke races while Ting Wen hopes to make an impact in the freestyle events. Among the men, there are no clear stars but swimmers who have been making good progress include Rainer and Clement.
World Class Stars
In the World Cup, which will feature world class stars (including Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol of the USA), Singapore's top swimmers will be aiming mainly for personal best times. Realistically, medals are out of their reach except perhaps for Tao Li, who did well at various World Cup meets last year and caused a stir with her fifth placing for the women's 100m fly at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.