| Preparing for the future olympics | |
|
|
Author | Message |
---|
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:09 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. | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:16 pm | |
| i like the water.. but dont know how to swim...do they have a place in monrovia that gives swimming lessons? | |
|
| |
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:07 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. | |
|
| |
Geyla Queen Admin
Number of posts : 6443 Age : 46 Location : Atlanta, GA Say Whatever : I'm still holding on. My Mood : Points : 4301 Registration date : 2008-03-28
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:11 pm | |
| - candygirl wrote:
- i like the water.. but dont know how to swim...do they have a place in monrovia that gives swimming lessons?
I can't swin either, but I refuse to get my hair wet and I can't afford to loose my contact in the water and I can't take them out either because I won't be able to see...I'm blind as a bat | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:14 pm | |
| - McNeal wrote:
- :)
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. ehn?? i will check them out. you know if they give swimming lessons?? i want learn to swim by all means this year | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:15 pm | |
| | |
|
| |
Geyla Queen Admin
Number of posts : 6443 Age : 46 Location : Atlanta, GA Say Whatever : I'm still holding on. My Mood : Points : 4301 Registration date : 2008-03-28
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:17 pm | |
| - candygirl wrote:
- McNeal wrote:
- :)
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. ehn?? i will check them out. you know if they give swimming lessons??
i want learn to swim by all means this year good for you , If anybody try to teach me at this point in my life...both of us will drown...I can't over come my fear at this age | |
|
| |
Geyla Queen Admin
Number of posts : 6443 Age : 46 Location : Atlanta, GA Say Whatever : I'm still holding on. My Mood : Points : 4301 Registration date : 2008-03-28
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:18 pm | |
| | |
|
| |
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:39 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. | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:00 am | |
| 100? da plenty money you boy so do you know any of them that give swimming lessons?? | |
|
| |
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:23 am | |
| "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' | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:42 am | |
| oh!.... interesting story.... so you learned the hard way???? hahaha | |
|
| |
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:48 am | |
| 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. | |
|
| |
candygirl Admin
Number of posts : 5916 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : Laughter is the best medicine My Mood : Points : 2260 Registration date : 2008-03-31
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:53 am | |
| hahaha.. nu ma.. so you live in liberia? | |
|
| |
Jocelyn
Number of posts : 323 Points : 42 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:59 am | |
| | |
|
| |
McNeal
Number of posts : 138 Age : 44 Location : Monrovia, Liberia Say Whatever : The opposing wind, like a kite, will take me higher My Mood : Points : 15 Registration date : 2008-05-02
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:06 am | |
| | |
|
| |
Sponsored content
| Subject: Re: Preparing for the future olympics | |
| |
|
| |
| Preparing for the future olympics | |
|