Local swimmer soaks up coaches’ advice
Youngsters attend training clinic with Italian Olympic swimming team coaches.
Germiston’s Nadia Calore, a Grade 10 pupil at Jeppe High School for Girls, was invited to participate in a training clinic with the Italian Olympic swimming team on February 17, at the Ellis Park Swimming Pool.
Nadia told the GCN that this wonderful opportunity was made possible by Jeppe headmistress, Dina Goncalves, who gave her and 11 of her A-team teammates time off from their school work to attend the clinic and experience the latest international training trends.
Nadia added that the coaching and advice she received from the Italian coaches had come at just the “right time” as she prepares for the Inter-High A-Gala for Johannesburg Girls’ Schools (March 9 at Ellis Park) and the SSA National/Regional Level 2 Age Group Champs (March 31 to April 2 at Delville Swimming Pool).
Twelve members of the Italian Olympic team – which won four medals (including a gold in the men’s 1 500m freestyle with Gregorio Paltrinieri) at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, last year, are currently training in Johannesburg, as part of their high altitude training programme.
With the CGA (Central Gauteng Aquatics) “Last Chance” Gala taking place (also at Ellis Park) less than 24 hours after the training clinic, Nadia was able to get further feedback from the Italian coaches on her performance under race conditions, which was invaluable.
In fact, Nadia’s Mandeville Swim Club coach (Janet Price), who was on the pool deck during the CGA Gala, was pleasantly surprised with the difference in her approach – especially in the backstroke and breaststroke races.
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