August 9, 2016 By: Sahr Morris Jr in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sierra Leonean swimmer Osman Kamara has showered praise on the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just two days before he takes to the pool for his first action in the games.
Kamara will be the first Sierra Leonean in action in this year’s games as he will battle against the likes of Niger’s Albachir Mouctar and Abdelaziz Ahmed Mohamed of Sudan in Pool Two (2) of the men’s 50m Freestyle heat one.
The self-confident looking Kamara, who has had and continue to have several training session at the venue, said having an opportunity to compete in such a standard arena with massive facilities adds special motivation and confidence.
He said: “When I walked into the arena, I just imagined it was filled with people. Reflecting back home, with the type of facilities we have, my confidence grows and I stated saying to myself I need to prove to the world that despite coming from a nation without such, I can do better. “
The Sierra Leone swimmer goes into action on Thursday, 11 August as the second highly rated athlete in his hit for the 50m Freestyle Pool 2 battle, with 27.70 sec, while Niger Mouctar is top rated with time 27.57.
A total of eight swimmers are in Pool 2, and according to the games progression rules, only the best 16 athletes from the 11 heats- (which includes an overall total of 87 swimmers)-will have to progress to the next phase.
Stories Credit: Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), fully supported by Ministry of Sports (MOS)