10/10/1997
THE Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum), who had earlier set a
seven-gold target for the Jakarta Games, made an about turn yesterday and
will aim for medals instead.
"There is no need to place undue pressure on the swimmers, so Asum
decided that the best thing to do right now is to target for medals,
irrespective of the colour," said Asum vice-president Yeoh Lai Seng
yesterday.
Briton Martyn Wilby, who coaches Commonwealth Games trainees Anthony
Ang, Yip Ai Yoke, Alex Lim Keng Liat and Elvin Chia at the Bolles School
in Florida, echoed the vice-president's sentiments.
"Yes, I would say that the swimmers should be allowed to just splash
around the pool without pressure, only then can they do their best."
Synchronised swimming, making their debut at the Games, will have a
tough task ahead because they do not know the strength of their opponents
but the Asum vice-president is confident that they are capable of pulling
off several surprises.
"Synchronised and diving will return with medals if they don't crack
under pressure," said Yeoh.
Pressure or no pressure, the Commonwealth Games athletes taking part in
the Sea Games will have to better their Chiangmai performance or the
National Sports Council (NSC) will show them the exit.
NSC director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad had said earlier that if the
athletes, who have been training for almost two years now, don't better
their times, there is no use in hanging on to them.
At the Jakarta Games, Lim will be taking part in the 100m and the 200m
backstroke, 200m butterfly and the relays while Elvin Chia will splash in
the 200m individual medley, 100m and the 200m breaststroke.
Anthony Ang, the 100m and 200m butterfly champion in Chiangmai, is
expected to repeat his feat while breaststroke specialist Tay Li Leng will
carry the women's flag at the Games.
Men: Anthony Ang, Elvin Chia, Lim Keng Liat, Wan Azlan Wan Abdullah,
Dieung Manggang, Allen Ong; Women: Tay Li Leng, Teo Mui Nyee, Sia Wai Yen,
Yip Ai Yoke, Ho Hsu Ee, Yip Ai Wei, Chew Lee San.
(END)
