Athletes Coaching & Development in Singapore
Following the ITU Asian Championships held 2, 3 July, 20 young athletes from
Asian countries stayed on in Singapore to participate in an training and talent
identification camp. The athletes from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand,
Korea and Singapore had one thing in common - the big dream in their heart.
(Photo below features ITU Sport Development officer Brett Mace with members
of the triathlon team from India.)
The six day camp launched the ITU Coaches and Athlete Development programme
headed by Brett Mace of Australia and Kristine Chambers of Canada. 2 times World
Champion, Emma Carney, who holds the record for most World Cup wins during her
brilliant triathlon career is also in Singapore to assist with the coaching
duties. Carney, who recently announced her retirement from the sport, has indicated
that she will now turn her attention to sharing her vast knowledge and experience
with athletes in the junior development programme. Miles Browning, who heads
the high performance and age group coaching centre at Runaway Bay, Gold Coast,
Australia rounds out the high powered team of coaches at the camp. (photo below
left to right: Brett Mace, Kristine Chambers, Emma Carney, Miles Browning)
The camp took the morning off on Tuesday and walked up to the Raffles Hotel
which is hosting the 117th Session of the IOC. The photo below shows ITU’s Secretary
General Bill Walker of Australia outlining the big decisions that the IOC sport
leaders will make during the Session, and the way decisions are made.
The athletes toured the temporary exhibit set up by the Olympic Museum in the
Raffles Hotel, and used the setting for a team photo.
They also learned about the Olympic Movement from ITU President Les McDonald…..
and even got some of his jokes….
When asked to share their dreams for “their” triathlon, answers varied
from “improve my swimming” to “become a sports hero in my country.”
But the one that sent a shiver down everyone’s back was “represent my country
in triathlon at the Olympic Games.”