UAE swimmer eyeing records at Olympics

Dubai: The UAE swimmer Obaid Al Jasmi is determined he will not be going to the Beijing Olympics just to make up the numbers.

He has set himself a target of breaking a couple of records during his time competing at the Games.

"I want to re-write a few records at the national and regional levels.

"That's my goal at the Beijing Olympic Games," Al Jasmi told Gulf News.

The UAE swimmer is currently in Tunisia with the national squad where they are in training under the watchful eye of American coach Jay Benner.

Al Jasmi received his place at the Olympics thanks to a wild card, courtesy of the world governing body for swimming and water sports (Fina).

But the swimmer faced a choice of which discipline to enter.

"I had a choice between doing the 50 metres freestyle and the 100 metres freestyle.

"Considering my performances in the past, and after consulting coach Jay I opted for the 100 metres freestyle," said the swimmer.

Al Jasmi has already entered his name in the record books.

He set the fastest national time of 53.7 seconds during the GCC Swimming Championships held in Qatar in 2005.

Shoulder surgery

But the build-up to the Games has not gone completely smoothly for the UAE swimmer.

Al Jasmi has been making a comeback after undergoing surgery on his shoulder.

The operation took place in Abu Dhabi and it left the UAE swimmer sitting by the side of the pool for nearly six months.

After being out for so long, he had to complete two months of physiotherapy.

Now Al Jasmi has started to get his rhythm back following the long recovery.

But he said he returned just as their current coach arrived.

"Luckily, Jay took over as the national coach just then and I could systematically plan my comeback," Al Jasmi said.

Prior to this, the UAE squad was served by ace Australian coach Greg Hodge.

"Greg started this journey for us. Now Jay has come to help us continue it," said the UAE swimmer.

Over the past few weeks, Al Jasmi has been getting the four basic elements in order for his big day in Beijing.

"I have been keeping a close watch on the four elements of power, strength, skill and technique as a build-up to the Olympics.

"I know I need to improve in all four departments if I am to achieve my goal," he said.

"The coach has been satisfied with my technique, but I still need to focus on the basics such as turning, style and quicker starts.

"Luckily I have enough time to achieve these goals before we leave for Beijing on August 5," said Al Jasmi.

But until then, Al Jasmi will get a chance to participate in a local competition to be held in Tunisia at the end of this month.

"The competition should help me set goals for myself and improve my time in the event," said Al Jasmi.