A learner of Estralita School for mental disabilities in the town will represent South Africa at the Special Olympic in Los Angeles.
Carol Malinga, a grade three pupil, will participate in swimming. The 15-year-old started swimming three years ago and in July she will get the opportunity to partici-pate against other swimmers inter-nationally.
According to Marnel Forster, owner of Swimrite Lydenburg, the young swimmer has a bright future in the sport. “Carol is diligent, disciplined, dedicated, and always very willing, and she still practises every day in this cold Lydenburg weather,” she said.
“We hope that she will make it to the finals, it will be a big honour and accomplishment for her. I would like for her to just try her best and enjoy the moment because it is not often that kids her age get such an opportunity,” she added.
As part of preparing for her first appearance on the world stage her coaches have a well-planned training programme for her. “We practice at the indoor swimming pool at Laske Nakke Guest House. They offered us their swimming pool due to the cold weather. We make sure that she gets all the training she needs to be prepared for the competition,” said Deon Forster, her coach.
Malinga says that she’s very excited and also nervous. “I am glad to be the one that will be swimming in Los Angeles.” Her mother passed away two years ago and her father is a pensioner.
As part of her going-away gift her coaches printed a special T-shirt for her.
“We want her to wear something that has her name on it and that was made especially for her,” said Forster.
