Moscow – As the indoor swimming swung into action at the 16th Final World Championships in Kazan, Russia on Sunday, South African “newbie” Ayrton Sweeney could be excused for feeling a bit like a fish out of the water.
There may be only five SA swimmers taking part but he’s duelling with seasoned campaigners Cameron Van der Burgh and Chad le Clos. And even Myles Brown and Sebastien Rousseau, although not exactly old, have a wealth of experience.
But Sweeney, who was SA’s final qualifier in the national trials in Durban earlier this year, is bent on soaking up the experience.
That’s despite going into the championships with an elbow that is still not 100 percent healthy. He injured the elbow in a fall not long after qualifying in the 200m breaststroke.
“To be honest, it’s just an absolute blessing to be here,” the Cape Town youngster told Sascoc’s Road to Rio 2016 before his first swim, in the 100m breaststroke heats on Sunday.
“Across the board, the doctors didn’t think I’d make it here, so I’m just going to go and swim, give it my absolute best,” said Sweeney.
“I’m super happy to be here after a long and boring flight (something you also have to learn all about as well) but the pool is great, facilities are awesome so I’m going to give it a good smash.”
Rooming with Rousseau, Sweeney said the 100m would be an ice-breaker.
“It’s something of a warm-up for the 200m, so I’ll just go and se what I can do.”