Edenvale swimmer to make waves in USA

Former Edenvale High School swimmer Kyle Letley is set to make waves in USA after he was offered a swimming scholarship at Olivet Nazarene University.

The former head boy received his acceptance letter to the Illinois university in June. While in America, he hopes to study medicine and to one day become a surgeon.

Although Letley applied to SA universities to study medicine, he was not accepted.

“When I received the acceptance letter I was so relieved,” said Letley.

Letley said after he matriculated he trained in preparation for the Olympic trials.

“I had hoped to compete in the trials just to see how I would fair internationally, as I prepared for the 2024 Olympics.”

Besides preparing for the trials, Letley obtained his Learn to Swim qualification and is completing an online biochemistry course.

Letley decided to pursue a career in swimming after he swam the Midmar Mile for the first time in 2011.

“I swam the open water swim and the rest is history.”

In the subsequent years, Letley competed in the Netherlands in 2016 in an international swimming event and represented SA in Italy in 2018.

For Letley, swimming is more than a sport, it helps him relax, unwind and manage his stress.

“At first the impact of Covid-19 hit quite hard. I mean we [swimmers] could still do land training, bodyweight training and swim in our pools at home but that was it. It just wasn’t the same as getting in a pool.”

Letley said before swimming and other forms of exercise were permitted he found himself in a bit of a negative headspace.

“Whenever the president spoke, I would hope for restrictions to be lifted so I could get back to training properly.”

With the easing of restrictions, Letley now trains at a Kensington swimming facility.

“I make sure I follow the regulations to the letter so that I don’t put myself or my family at risk.”

Looking to the future, Letley hopes to compete in the 2024 Olympics and inspire a love for swimming among the youth.