Latest update February 24th, 2025 6:16 AM
National Aquatic Centre back up and running
The National Aquatic Centre located at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara is back up and running following few days of non-operation. Yesterday afternoon the facility was buzzing with activity as a number of
Swimmers seen at the National Aquatic Centre yesterday.
swimmers were going through the paces led by their coaches.
Kaieteur Sport had reported that the facility was closed since May 10 and was used as a Polling Station for the May 11 National General and Regional Elections.
The closure of the facility which houses a 50m Pool and a 25m warm up pool has affected the preparations of a number of swimmers who are preparing for the Pan Am Games set for Toronto, Canada (July 10-26) and the FINA World Championships to be held in Kazan, Russia (July 24-August 9).
The Pan Am Games selectees are Omar Adams (Dorado Speed Swim Club) and Onika George of Silver Shark Speed Swim Club. Swimmers shortlisted for the FINA World Championships are Dorado’s Hannibal Gaskin, Britany van Lange and Soroya Simmons as well as Dolphin’s Jameela Sanmoogan.
Kaieteur Sport understands that the maintenance of the pool was affected by blackouts and this resulted in the pool not being in a suitable condition to be used by the swimmers.
A visit to the facility yesterday morning by a club coach showed that the pool was being used by another coach and four swimmers. Others swimmers were then informed to turn up yesterday afternoon for training, and they did in numbers.
The swimmers have missed nine (9) days of training which according to an official is a major setback for them in terms of losing their conditioning.
“Even though they were doing “dry land” training, it certainly cannot replace their “in-water” training, their feel-for-the-water deteriorates, their in-water power output decreases. Anywhere from three days out of the water, may affect athletes differently. Sprinters may experience less performance deterioration than distance athletes. So it’s a major effort to catch up, from the point where they left off.”
It is hoped that no such setback will ever occur again.
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