‘Don’t let expectations break you’

SINGAPORE _ In every major swimming competition like the Olympics, there are the mighty powerhouses like United States and Australia, as well as Great Britain and Japan — but the pool sometimes belonged to the minnows too.

And Alia Atkinson and Pieter Timmers, both 28 and in town for the Fina/airweave Swimming World Cup (Oct 21-22), know it all too well. They are sporting heroes in their own countries, well-known for championing the sport in Jamaica and Belgium, respectively, and are under intense media spotlight.

Atkinson is the first black woman to win a World Championships swimming title in 2014 (100m breaststroke, short-course), although she came in last in the final at the 2016 Olympics amid huge expectations to bag Jamaica’s first Olympic swimming medal. Timmers took silver in the 100m freestyle in Rio, which was Belgium’s first Olympics swimming medal in 20 years.

They see some similarities in Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling, who triumphed against the odds to take his country’s first Olympic gold medal in the 100m butterfly in Rio.

“In Rio, when Joseph won the Olympic gold, it was not just Singapore that is happy for him,” said Atkinson. “I was cheering, and you could also see the rest of the swimmers from smaller countries around the world cheering. It was a moment shared by all of us. We have an unspoken bond among us when we see each other.”

She added: “We are aware of Schooling’s extraordinary journey to the top, and the huge expectations and pressure of a nation can sometimes make or break you. You cannot let it hold you back from achieving more.

“During the Olympics, it was my own expectations, and my country’s expectations on me, and it was a lot to take. When I failed to live up to them, it felt terrible.”

To stay successful, Atkinson — who trained with the Singapore swim team in Florida prior to the Rio Olympics — said Schooling has to maintain his personality, keep his strong support system, and remember his achievements when he puts in a poor swim.

“After the Olympic gold, whether it is to improve his timing next time, or get the world record, he’s got to continue to enjoy the sport, and keep his laid-back personality,” she said. “Athletes can succumb to that pressure. You’ve seen that with (Michael) Phelps before, but he just got back and continued by enjoying the sport.

“I’ve spoken with Joseph and we joked a lot. He is a funny guy, so it’ll help him, and he has to keep that side of him. He has to remember that what people think of him is of no value to him, and his loved ones will keep him positive and grounded. You need to stay out of social media sometimes.

“And when you put in a bad swim — like I did at the Olympics — you can tend to forget all the achievements you’ve achieved in your entire life, and just be preoccupied with that one poor swim.

“You’ve got to remember the good things — they keep you going. I tried to remember what I’ve already done for Jamaica swimming in this time.”

Timmers added that it could help to “remember your passion in inspiring kids and others in the sport in your country too”.

“A lot of people told me I couldn’t get an (Olympics) medal, and they told me I’m crazy,” the Belgian said.

“But I prove them wrong, and surprised everybody. I think a lot of kids watched my race back home, and I hope I get more kids in the water, and continue to inspire them. That could be the motivation.”