Myles looks to take gold at Olympics
Local swimmer, Myles Brown is excited to take part in his first ever Olympic Games and do his country proud by bringing home a gold medal.
HIS goal of qualifying to compete in this year’s Olympic Games was the driving force behind the countless hours Myles Brown put into his swimming training.
The Kloof resident said he was first introduced to the swimming pool when his parents got him water safe at the age of three, 20 years later he will compete in the Rio Olympic Games with a host of other swimmers from the Seagulls Swimming Club.
“I know the first main race that I ever competed in was when I was nine years old and that was the Midmar Mile. I don’t remember much but I do recall being at the back of the field and badly wanted to beat the red group and come first. From then on I realised I wanted to take swimming a lot more seriously,” said Myles.
He may not have crossed the finish line in first place, but it was a turning point in his career and that was where his love and passion for the sport of swimming blossomed. His first major pool event was at KZN Schools when he was 10 years old. Throughout his school career he broadened his horizons and took part in a variety of sporting activities, from rugby and tennis to waterpolo and swimming.
In Grade 9 he almost missed his chance to compete in the British Open Water Champs when he broke his right index finger while playing rugby four weeks before the event. Since then he has competed in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 in the 4x200m relay and bagged a bronze medal with his team as well as the 1500m freestyle.
“In 2013 was when I first decided that I wanted to compete in the Olympic Games, but not only to compete but to win a gold medal for my country. Since then it has been my long-term goal,” said Myles. At this year’s Rio Games he will compete in the 200m and 400m freestyle races. “It is my first Olympic Games and in a way I know what to expect but I am looking forward to the whole experience, swim as best I can, reach the finals and give myself a shot at winning a medal.”
To ensure that his dream became a reality, he now swims nine sessions a week, with each session lasting between two to two-and-a-half hours, sometimes swimming an average of 6km. He also visits the gym twice a week for one and a half hours he works on his strength, full body exercises or core work.
The group of swimmers from Seagulls headed off to Doha recently for high altitude training then competed in the Mare Nostrum swimming meets and will soon head off to compete in the Games which start on 5 August. “I really am excited for the whole experience I am thankful to my parents for pushing and supporting me, to Graham Hill and Ryan Wurdeman for all their help, support and guidance.
