Dubai: He's a rare species in a country known more for its world-class middle and long-distance black athletes. For starters, he is a white Kenyan and what sets him apart further is the fact that he is a world-class swimmer. Meet Jason Dunford, still only 24 and triple gold-medallist at the recently concluded Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup in Dubai.
"It's a great feeling to be a white person representing Kenya," Dunford told XPRESS on the sidelines of a swimming clinic at Al Wasl Club. "I am very popular back home and have a huge fan base."
Dunford revels in the cosmopolitan culture and it's no wonder that he loves Dubai.
"My first visit was almost 12 years ago when I was a kid. Since then I have been here about three times. I am amazed at how much change this place has undergone. It's really been a great experience for me competing here. There are some really good clubs and great swimming facilities now," he said.
Dunford called on the budding UAE swimmers to emulate him. "I come from a country that's not a traditional swimming powerhouse. There's no major support system. It's the same here in the UAE. I want to tell the kids here that it's possible to be like me. They should just know what they want," he said, adding: "My parents have never pushed me to swimming but they have been very supportive. I call upon the parents of the kids here to do the same."
The Kenyan swimmer has excelled in the butterfly events, winning gold in 50m at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, besides finishing fourth in 100m at the Shanghai World Championships. And he plans to compete in the 100m butterfly and the 100m freestyle at the forthcoming London Olympics. "Given that I will be 25 when the Olympics come around in London, I suppose it could be my best and last chance to win a medal," said the man who held the Olympic 100m butterfly record for seven minutes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Dunford's dream is to open a swimming academy in Kenya. "I have held swimming clinics back home, in Italy and the US, but opening an academy would be my ultimate dream," he said.
- Dunford has won gold at the Commonwealth Games, Universiade, All-Africa Games and African Championships
- He has reached finals at Olympics, World Championships and Short Course World Championships
- He has also held African, Universiade and Olympic records
