Dubai: New European 200 metres freestyle swimmer Sara Isakovic has acknowledged the role Dubai has played in bringing her international recognition.
"Dubai has definitely been one of my building blocks to reaching such a high level in my swimming career," Isakovic told Gulf News from Eindhoven after being crowned the new European champion in the 200 metres freestyle late on Sunday.
"I cannot believe what I have achieved. This is all a result of the hard work that I have put in over the past few years starting with Dubai," Isakovic said.
The 18-year-old Isakovic has spent much of her childhood training in Dubai. Her father Nenad is still based in Dubai as a senior pilot instructor with Emirates airline.
"This is like a dream-come-true. I am finding it difficult to believe this. Maybe it will take me a week for the achievement to sink in," Isakovic said.
Nice and easy
With world champion Laure Manaudou not racing, Slovenia's Isakovic won the women's 200 freestyle in a time of 1:57.45, finishing just ahead of Olympic champion Camelia Potec of Romania and third-placed Agnes Mutina of Hungary late on Sunday. Describing her race, Isakovic related how she went "slow, nice and easy" during the first 50 metres and kept her tempo during the next 50. She started sprinting in the next stretch and "simply cruised through" in the last 50 metres.
"I did not pay attention to what the other swimmers were doing. I just wanted to concentrate on how I was managing my race."
Her first reaction at being announced as the new 200 metres freestyle champion was that of "surprise and disbelief".
Isakovic started her swimming career in Dubai with twin brother Gal. But as she progressed, she found there were no proper competition sized swimming pools here.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in a magnanimous gesture, allowed the twins to train at his personal swimming pool at Zabeel Palace.
"I am forever grateful to Shaikh Mohammad as without that opportunity to train, I would not be where I am today," Isakovic said. "This is an emotional time for me and my family."
"It's an amazing feeling to listen to your national anthem at the victory ceremony. I had dreamt of this day many years ago, and today I have realised this important dream," she added.
Isakovic will take just one day off before resuming her training with the Slovenia national squad in preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games later this summer.
Your comments
Congratulations Miss Sara Isakovic. The whole of the United Arab Emirates is proud of you. Again, the ruler of Dubai's kind gesture has done wonders.
P.M.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 25, 2008, 12:32
Congratulations Miss Sara Isakovic. You are the best. Me and my friends will pray for your success to became the best of the best. Keep it up and good luck.
Wilson
Cebu,Philippines
Posted: March 25, 2008, 08:34
