– former national swimmer Yannick Roberts tells Goodwill Swimmers

Former national swimmer Yannick Roberts is encouraging the swimmers on the Guyana team for the upcoming 16th annual Goodwill Swimming championships to do their best.

“Don’t be afraid when you see that the other swimmers are bigger and stronger.  When you hear loud cheers from the bigger teams, use them to your advantage,” he told the swimmers who are in their final stages of preparation on Saturday.

The championships start in Suriname on Friday and ends Sunday.

On a Guyana government scholarship in Cuba since 2007, Roberts, back home on holiday, took time to assist the team at Saturday’s training session.

He shared his experiences, demonstrated techniques and worked on relay starts, before speaking with the members of the Goodwill team.

Roberts has been one of Guyana’s top swimmers and he still holds national records in the boys’ 15-17 200 Individual Medley (2:22.25s; August 2007) and boys 13-14 200m Freestyle (2:11.52s; August 2004).

He represented Guyana at several Goodwill Championships (2004-2007), the Inter-Guiana Games (2006) and the FINA World Championships (2006).

He was also a member of the 15-17 boys’ relay team that held the Goodwill 4x100m Medley record from 2007 to 2009 and the still-unbroken 4x50m Freestyle Relay record which was also set in 2007.

He advised the team of budding swimmers that the most important thing is to do your best and explained that, while they should listen to the coaches, parents and teammates, they are alone in their lanes when it is competition time.

“You compete and must swim your own race, at your own rhythm,” he said.

He advised the team to have fun, make jokes and laugh; and counselled the older swimmers on their responsibilities to take care of the younger ones, adding that they must always encourage each other – whether winning or losing.

He cautioned them that they may be nervous and should distract themselves with mind games or listening to music.

He had a few words also for the parents, asking them to just say “Good luck, try your best” … and mean it when they say it.  He asked them not to pressure their children before the race or quarrel with them afterwards.

He ended by reminding them that just making the team should be a source of pride and expressed confidence that they will make all Guyana proud.