Kirsty Coventry gave Zimbabwe a second Olympic swimming medal on Tuesday, and the teenager from Harare said she hopes her success will inspire people in the troubled African nation.
The 19-year-old took bronze in the women’s 200m individual medley on Tuesday to go with the 100m backstroke silver she won the day earlier, which had been the first Olympic swimming medal ever won by a Zimbabwean.
Coventry set African records in both events, timing 2:12,72 in the 200m individual medley behind Yana Klochkova of the Ukraine and Amanda Beard of the United States, and 1:00,50 in the 100m backstroke, which was won by world-record-holder Natalie Coughlin of the US.
The road to Athens has been a long one for the swimmer who has been based at Auburn University, Alabama, for the past three years.
But she stresses that her heart is still in Zimbabwe where her family lives.
”Over the past couple of years Zimbabwe has been going through a rough time,” explained Coventry.
”I think every country goes through bad years and good years. I hope this gives Zimbabwe hope and they can take something good out of it.
”All sportsmen and women can take inspiration from it and know that they too can follow their dreams.”
Coventry explained that she started swimming as a two-year-old, encouraged by parents who were both keen swimmers and grandparents who were coaches in the sport.
But the best decision for her swimming career was to study and train in the US where she was able further to develop her talent.
”It was the best decision to go to Auburn, but I haven’t left Zimbabwe, my family are all there and I still go home every summer. I still consider it my home.
”I hope Zimbabwe will come round. I’m very proud to be from Zimbabwe and representing them.
”Sportsmen and women are just there to compete. When I’m swimming I don’t say ‘she’s white or she’s black’. Colour doesn’t matter to me.”
And the competition is not yet over for Coventry, who is also down to compete in the 200m backstroke on Thursday, buoyed by her recent successes.
”Winning the medal in the 200m back gave me more confidence in my swimming generally,” she said. — Sapa-AFP
Special Report: Olympics 2004