Dubai: The UAE's lone sailor is expecting a pressure-free competition at the Beijing Olympics.
"I really do not want to put myself under any sort of pressure. I want to treat this like a normal regatta and sail without making any mistakes and the results will follow," Adil Khalid told Gulf News before leaving for China.
Khalid leaves for Beijing along with his coach Omar Mohammad Bazara and manager Abdullah Al Obaidli tonight.
"I hate this feeling of being scared with sort of butterflies in my stomach before a competition. And that is one reason I want to avoid putting any sort of pressure on myself," Adil said.
"I have participated in some of the best regattas in Europe over the past few months as part of my preparations for the Olympics and that is how I have learnt how to deal with the pressure element.
"I have learnt from past experiences that pressure brings in confusion and I hate that feeling as my performance dips," he said.
Adil had a well-planned programme for Olympic qualifying, which started in January with regattas in Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Austria.
After his time in Europe, Adil continued training twice a day at the Emirates Sailing School at the Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi under coach Omar Mohammad Bazara.
Training goal
"But my main goal was to improve on my physical fitness and I am glad that I am best prepared for the Olympics at this moment," said Adil.
"In training too, I had set out a programme and I think I have done well in achieving all my targets."
The UAE sailor reiterated that he would concentrate on his race rather than be concerned about the other sailors in the competition.
"It won't really help paying attention elsewhere. My focus will be on how I am faring and keep the mistakes out while racing," said the sailor.
Adil Khalid will be joined by more than 400 sailors from 61 countries who will be taking part in the various sailing competitions along the famous Yellow River at Qingdao, China.
Beijing will see a a sailor from the UAE taking part in an Olympic Games for the first time.
Luxembourg will also be making its sailing debut at the Games.
"I am going to China to win and return with a medal.
"I have put in a lot of hard work and I expect all this hard work to pay off at the Olympics," said Adil.
