Swimming: I’ve learnt my lesson, says Olympian Israr

Pakistan swimmer to try something ‘different’ at National Games.

KARACHI: Pakistan Olympian Israr Hussain has learnt his lesson after the failure in London, saying he will now shift his focus away from the 50m and 100m sprints ahead of the National Games that start on October 16 in Lahore.

Israr took part in the 100m and finished a dismal 54th among 56 swimmers, while also failing to better the national record at the Olympics. Now, the national champion has decided to concentrate on the 200m, 400m and 1,500m after deciding that shorter distances were not his cup of tea.

“It’s more about team spirit this time,” Israr told The Express Tribune. “If the coach can’t find a better sprinter then I’ll take part in the 100m and 50m, but personally my focus is on the other events. The Olympics was, of course, the best experience of my life. But right now my priority is to give my best for my department at the National Games. I won a gold medal in the 200m event so I’m confident of
my chances.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2012.