Malaysian swimmer qualifies for Olympics in chilly waters of Portugal

PETALING JAYA: Heidi Gan splashed her way to Olympic history in the chilly waters of Setubal Bay in Portugal on Saturday.

The 22-year-old earned her ticket to represent Malaysia in the women’s 10km open water swimming at the London Olympics after claiming the continental slot at the world qualifying meet in Portugal.

Heidi posted an impressive 1:48.17 for 28th placing in a field of 41 swimmers but she got the Asian continental slot as Fang Yanjiao of China (fifth), Natasha Tang of Hong Kong (12th) and Kida Yumi of Japan (13th) were among the top 15 qualifiers for the Games.

American swimmer Haley Anderson won the race in 1:44.30 to claim the prized slot as her country’s representative in London.

Heidi’s achievement in joining an elite field of 25 swimmers gathering in Hyde Park for the Olympics is remarkable as she is a relative newcomer to the gruelling Olympic discipline.

Heidi, who is the cousin of Dr Lennard Lee who successfully swam the English Channel in 2004, started out as a pool swimmer but turned to the open water less than three years ago with dreams of making it to the Olympics.

She made her first major splash at the international level when she won both the 5km and 10km at the Indonesia SEA Games last year.

Heidi, who is based in Perth, demonstrated her potential when she finished in the top 10 in the 5km and 10km at the Australian Open Water Swimming Championships.

It was a survival of the fittest in Portugal as the water temperature was hovering at 16 degrees Celcius and it slowed down the closing sprinting speed.

This was evident as Heidi was ranked 12th at the half-way stage but dropped back as she was unaccustomed to swimming in colder waters.

Heidi will be relieved that her decision to go there early to get herself acclimatised to the conditions paid dividends.

She was still in a state of shock over realising her Olympic dream.
“Yes, I made it! I’m so proud and excited to be representing Malaysia at the London Olympics.
“It is unbelievable, I’m still waiting for it to sink in.

“I’m still in shock at the moment and have just gotten back from the race course to quickly call my parents and my boyfriend in Australia to let them know,” said Heidi through e-mail.

Her feat means Malaysia will have representation in three aquatic disciplines at the Olympics for the first time.

Malaysia will be sending their biggest group of nine divers and at least two swimmers to London.





THE STAR