Athletes speak earlier than the World Junior Swimming Championships

It’s not my first time in Romania, however it’s my first time in Otopeni. I’ve by no means swum on this pool earlier than — it’s very stunning, very good. It’s actually vivid and quick. I’m wanting ahead to swimming fast instances right here, so will probably be good.

I’m coached by Pāvels MURĀNS. I’ve competed in two editions of the European Juniors, and now I’m right here on the World Juniors, which is the very best stage of competitors for me. I’m swimming the 50m and 100m breaststroke, however my most important occasion is the 50m.

Los Angeles 2028 isn’t that far-off, and I’m actually pleased they added the 50m breaststroke to the Olympic programme. I’m ready for the qualifying requirements to return out after which I’ll goal to make the lower. In my nation, I’m the quickest now within the 50m breaststroke, so we’ll await the instances and see. Perfect. Of course, everyone needs to be on the Olympics.

I do know David Popovici — he’s an awesome swimmer and everyone is aware of him. Several of my teammates met him at an Under-23 competitors, however since I used to be nonetheless a junior, I didn’t attend that meet. Maybe I’ll meet him this week.

The journey was so lengthy — virtually 20 hours of flying. We flew from Costa Rica to Paris, after which boarded our subsequent flight to Bucharest. It felt countless. This is my first time in Romania. It’s a really, superb pool. It feels quick and is among the greatest swimming pools I’ve ever swum in.

I swam on the Juniors in Netanya two years in the past, so that is my second version. I’m competing in all of the freestyle occasions from 100m to 800m. I imagine I can swim higher instances right here. I’ve had plenty of expertise earlier than arriving, so I feel I can carry out very nicely.

I’m 16 years previous, and in three years I can be 19 — the yr of the Los Angeles Olympics. My coach and I are working towards that, in fact. I at all times look forward on the Olympic cycle. When the Paris Olympics ended, I used to be already fascinated by Los Angeles, and even eight years forward to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The greatest swimmer in Romania is among the quickest within the 100m freestyle. I actually like his mindset. He has a reside philosophy that resonates with me. I feel I heard him say that he doesn’t take into consideration something throughout competitors. He stays optimistic, trusts his coaching, and focuses on having fun with the method. It’s a mindset I like drastically.

The two South African swimmers spoke collectively for his or her interview. Both are coached by Rocco Meiring, who additionally guided two-time Olympic gold medalist Tatjana Schoenmaker and is at the moment teaching World Champion Pieter Coetze.

Emma: Getting right here was clearly lengthy, nevertheless it was social — a group factor — so it was nice.

Chanel: We flew from Johannesburg to Istanbul. That first flight was about 9 hours, after which we flew from Turkey to Romania.

Emma: The pool seems nice. I haven’t been in it but, nevertheless it seems very quick, and everybody’s saying it’s fast.

Chanel: I feel it’s actually cool. I haven’t swum but both, however individuals say it’s very quick.

Emma & Chanel: This is our first Juniors.

Emma: I’m swimming the 400m particular person medley and the 200m backstroke.

Chanel: I’m competing within the 50m and 100m breaststroke occasions.

Emma: The subsequent Olympics is unquestionably on the horizon, however I’m attempting to give attention to the competitions arising now. I take it yr by yr; in any other case, there’s an excessive amount of stress. I simply need to hit private bests as a lot as potential annually.

Chanel: We’re fascinated by Los Angeles 2028, and perhaps even the 2032 Olympics, however our most important focus is the competitions within the subsequent yr or two.

Emma: Romania’s quickest swimmer is David — identified to many swimmers simply by his first title — and he’s very fast. He’s positively an inspiration, particularly on the world junior stage, as a result of he’s a younger, quick swimmer.

Chanel: David has proven us what’s potential on the junior stage, and I feel he’s very inspirational.

We arrived Saturday evening, had some dinner, after which went to mattress. It’s solely a couple of three- or four-hour flight from Ireland, so the journey went rather well. We obtained within the pool at the moment and felt fairly good.

This is my second time in Romania. We have been right here for the European Short Course Championships two years in the past, when Daniel Wiffen broke his first world data. This pool brings again some good recollections. I swam fairly nicely the final time I used to be right here, so if I can try this once more, I’d be very pleased. I’m swimming all the backstroke occasions right here — 50m, 100m, and 200m. My coach is Jan Szaranek.

I used to be in Singapore on the World Championships, swimming within the semi-final of the 200m backstroke, however that is my first World Juniors. I’ve been to some European Juniors, so this can be a little bit of a brand new expertise — however not fully new.

I’m 18 years previous, and naturally, ideas about swimming on the Los Angeles Olympics are at all times behind your thoughts. But it’s a must to take it yr by yr and give attention to the competitions in entrance of you. You can’t be considering three years forward, although it’s at all times there as your final aim. Seeing Dan compete in Paris was inspiring. He impressed everyone, together with Mona McSharry and Ellen Walsh. They’ve carried out unimaginable issues to place Ireland on the map. I suppose it’s the job of me and others in my age group to attempt to proceed that success over the following three or 4 years — and past.

I don’t know a complete lot about David Popovici personally, as I’ve by no means met him. A freestyler I educated with has raced him a couple of instances and mentioned he’s a really good, down-to-earth man. I’ve seen interviews and clearly seen him race, and he appears very good, however personally, I don’t know him. I’d benefit from the probability to fulfill him — that might be nice.

Getting right here from Korea was troublesome as a result of the flight time is de facto lengthy. I used to be slightly anxious, however now that I’m right here, I feel it was value it. We flew from Seoul and related in Dubai earlier than coming to Romania, so the whole journey time was about 22 hours — it’s actually far.

I’ve been considering so much about swimming in Romania, and this pool is de facto good — I actually prefer it. I can be swimming the 50m and 100m backstroke occasions.

This is my first World Junior Championships, however I did compete within the 2024 World Championships in Doha and likewise in the latest World Championships in Singapore in July. Because that is my first time on the Junior Championships, I really feel slightly nervous, however I feel it’s totally different from the World Championships. The Junior Championships swimsuit me higher, and I hope that I can be much less nervous right here.

This can be my first time in Romania, the house nation of David Popovici. I bear in mind watching him swim on the Singapore World Championships, the place he gained the gold medal in freestyle. I believed, “That’s amazing.” Now, swimming in his nation makes it much more particular.

I’m 15 years previous, born in 2010. The Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 should not too far-off. I actually need to go to the Olympics, however I do know it’s simply three years away. I must observe actually laborious, and this competitors is a vital step on that path.

We left France this morning and arrived right here on Saturday. We have been within the south of France for a coaching camp, and the flight went nicely. The pool is simply unimaginable — I’m so excited to swim right here. It’s very spectacular and really huge. This is my first time in Romania, nevertheless it’s not my first Junior Championships, as I’ve competed in two European Junior Championships. I don’t assume we’ll have time to discover Romania, however from what I’ve seen thus far, it looks as if an awesome nation.

In Otopeni, I can be swimming the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, in addition to the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays. I prepare beneath coach Steven Deyes. I’m 17 years previous, and my aim is to compete within the subsequent Olympic Games in Los Angeles. I’ve watched David Popovici swim, and he’s extremely quick and galvanizing. I hope to fulfill him right here.

I reside in Mason, Ohio, within the U.S., however I’m representing Zambia, the place I used to be born. I used to be raised there and lived in Zambia till I used to be 10, earlier than transferring to Tanzania for my dad’s work, after which to the U.S. I prepare beneath coach Emilie Heoper on the swim membership the place U.S. Olympian Carson Foster trains when he’s not in Austin, Texas. This is my first time in Romania, nevertheless it’s my second World Juniors, as I competed in Netanya, Israel, two years in the past. I’m swimming the 100m to 800m freestyle occasions at my second Junior Championships. In Netanya, I dropped my time within the 100m freestyle however added time within the 400m and 800m occasions as a result of my nerves obtained to me. Hopefully, I can flip that right here, with that have beneath my belt. I’m excited for this meet. I really feel like I’m swimming at a distinct stage now, beneath my coach’s steerage, and we’ve carried out plenty of good work to ensure I’m dropping time and swimming my greatest.

I’m 16 years previous and fascinated by swimming for Zambia on the subsequent Olympics. One of my closest mates is nineteen, and he nonetheless has increased World Aquatics factors than me in his occasions, however hopefully, ultimately, I’ll qualify for these meets, which might be a dream.

I do know of Romanian star David Popovici, who emerged in 2022. I used to be watching the Tokyo Olympics on TV, however I didn’t actually discover him as a result of I used to be centered on Caeleb Dressel and the way nicely he swam at that meet. Later in 2022, Popovici made a huge impact on the World Championships and set the world document. I’ve actually adopted him since then and sort of idolize him. He’s one in all my favourite swimmers, and it could be cool to fulfill him.

The journey right here was fairly good, though we had a really lengthy delay on our first flight from Brisbane. We flew to Dubai for a stopover after which into Austria. We stayed in Slovakia for a couple of week of coaching earlier than flying right here on Friday. It was a protracted journey from internationally, however everyone seems to be wanting good and excited. Our coaching expertise in Slovakia was glorious. It was very popular, however the ambiance was nice—everybody would come to observe once they weren’t coaching, simply supporting one another. It’s a really supportive group.

This is my first time in Romania and truly my first time in Europe. It’s a distinct place, however I’m excited. Being right here is sweet, and thus far all the things seems nice. This pool is incredible—most likely among the finest I’ve ever raced in.

This yr I certified for my first junior group. Last yr, presently, I wouldn’t have even thought I’d be on a junior group, so that is superb. Anything past racing right here seems like a cherry on prime. I’m swimming the 50m fly and the 4x200m freestyle relay.

I’m 18 years previous, and the Gold Coast is my dwelling. Swimming on the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I used to be youthful. Now it’s truly beginning to really feel like an actual risk, which may be very thrilling—particularly with Brisbane set to host the 2032 Olympic Games. I simply must hold coaching and hopefully I’ll be there. My coach is Tommy Fraser-Holmes.

I feel David Popovici is a tremendous swimmer—the way in which he steps up and performs each time. I’ve by no means met him personally, however from what I’ve seen, he looks as if an awesome competitor. It can be nice to fulfill him, and I feel lots of people can be excited if he involves this meet.

I reside within the Maldives. We flew from the Maldives to Istanbul, which is about eight hours, after which from Istanbul to Bucharest, one other two hours. It wasn’t too unhealthy, nevertheless it was positively tiring. This is my first go to to Romania, and thus far it’s been a superb expertise. I’ve solely seen the pool thus far, nevertheless it’s positively one of many largest swimming pools I’ve ever swum in. I don’t assume I’ve competed in a world meet this massive earlier than.

I’m 16 years previous and that is my first Junior Swimming Championships. I’m swimming the 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, and likewise collaborating in some relays.

I’m very conscious of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics arising. I get actually excited fascinated by it as a result of it’s such an enormous alternative. Coming from a small nation, qualifying for a contest like that might be an enormous achievement, and I’m positively wanting ahead to working towards that aim.

David Popovici is among the swimmers I actually look as much as. I’m actually excited concerning the probability to fulfill him right here. His stroke is one thing I research carefully once I swim, and I feel I can be taught so much from him.