That said, goals must be realistic. In order to represent your country in swimming, you must first achieve the Olympic standard, given here.
http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option...
If you can't, you will not be allowed to participate, even if you are the best in your country.
Starting from age 15, it will be next to impossible for you to hit any of these standards. Swimming is about balance and rhythm, developed over many years of practice. I'm sure you're ready to commit yourself, but if you can't reach your goal, you need to reconsider before you waste too much time and energy.
So do this: Take swimming lessons for a year or two and see where you are. If you defy the odds and are close to an Olympic standard, go for it. Otherwise, either enjoy swimming as exercise or compete as part of a triathlon.
I wish you the best.
Boxy: I dare you to explain Cullen Jones.
Ignore that other commentor, he is so very ignorant and rude.
I don't know and you won't know until you start training and swimming. I doubt you'll have a chance at the next olympics only because it is very soon it does take a while to get the strokes in place. As far as being able to represent them, you not only have to compete against other Nigerians to get in, but also the other countries.
if you keep your mind on it and really work hard you may be able to get there.
black people are very poor swimmers , as there is little water in africa and the water there is has got crocodiles and snakes in it. also black peoples bones are more dense so they tend to sink. if you look at the olympics there are no black people in swimming, the only one there ever was was a laughing stock and took about an hour longer than all the whites. he looked like he was going backwards at one point
If you believe, you can achieve. As long as your commited, then why not!
Umm, I just developed a massive interest in swimming and I have no experience at all. I plan to start learning the basics and become good this September (I'm 15 yrs old). we don't have facilities here in Nigeria for swimming competitively but I am moving to UK next year for college. I am ready to devote 30 hours a week to train intensely when i get there (probably at a club) with a coach. If i get good enough, fast enough, do i have a chance at national swimming competitions and even the next Olympics. Nigeria has so swimmers so i've been thinking it would be easy to represent them since i might be the only one)
