Lianna Swan proud of Solidarity Games stint

Pakistan swimmer relishing representing the country at international level.

KARACHI: Pakistan teenager Lianna Swan represented the country at the recently concluded Islamic Solidarity Games in Indonesia, a feat she said she was proud to have achieved.

Touted by many as the next big star in Pakistan swimming, Lianna bettered the national record in the women’s 200-metre breaststroke event. She also competed among the final eight of the 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke competition at the Games, which had 41 countries competing in different disciplines.

Looking back at her participation, she said it was an honour to represent Pakistan.

“When you are representing your country, you feel there is a bit more pressure to do well as it is not just for yourself,” Lianna told The Express Tribune from Dubai.“Even though I didn’t win a medal, I was pleased to have been able to get a national record.

“It’s really valuable to be able to get the experience at a high level of competition and improve while competing against some of the world’s best.”

However, Lianna said she had limited time to prepare for the Solidarity Games as she had to balance her studies with her training routine. Lianna is currently an ‘A’ level student in Dubai.

“I had only a few weeks to prepare for the Games,” she said. “I get up at five in the morning three times during the week to train for an hour and a half before school. I also train in the evening five times a week for between two-and-a-half to three hours.

“This training includes 45 minutes of land training to build up strength and power out of the pool, as well as stretching afterwards to maintain flexibility in your body.”

The previous year was an impressive one for Lianna, winning 10 gold medals for Pakistan and breaking several records at the junior national championships.

Despite the achievements, the teenager believes she is still on a quest to improve.“At this stage of my career, I am focusing on getting faster and breaking more national records.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2013.

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