adminToday she will be at Mpopoma High School.
This was confirmed by the Matabeleland Amateur Swimming Board (MASB) chairman Eddie Cyprianos who said the Olympic gold medallist will work with the seniors on Saturday from 12noon to 5pm at the City Pool.
On Sunday she will be training juniors from 9am to 12non at Hillside Teachers College.
“Kirsty is definitely coming to Bulawayo this weekend. She was invited by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart. She is coming for an intensive training programme and this is a great opportunity for our up-and-coming swimmers to learn from one of the world’s best,” said Cyprianos.
The swimming icon first captured the attention of the world during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, when she turned on the power picking up gold, silver and bronze medals.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics she did it again when she won gold in the 200m backstroke, silver in 100m backstroke, 200m and 400m individual medley.
According to Cyprianos, Kirsty is coming at a time when Bulawayo is preparing for the Senior Nationals to be held in Harare in February. He said her presence may psyche up the local swimmers to go all the way and break records.
“Actually her presence alone will push our swimmers to clock better times and maybe one day compete in the Olympics and bring glory to the nation like what she did. Kirsty honed her swimming skills here in Bulawayo as a kid before she moved to the capital and then kept the world spellbound during the Olympic Games,” said Cyprianos.
Meanwhile, MASB has announced the names of swimmers who will represent Matabeleland during the Senior Nationals in Harare.
Matabeleland Swimming Team
11-12 Girls
Maryke Koen, Georgina Roberts, Savannah Du Preez, Olivia Rosenfels, Sancia Bravo, Siduduziwe Mswabuki, Wandile Banda.
11-12 Boys
Grant Smith, Liam O’ Hara, Rowan Isemonger, Quinton Tayali, Denilson Cyprianos, Tarrel Cook, Eden van Wyk, Lavarn Jacks, Josh McKonie.
13-14 Girls
Courtney McAllister, Jessica McAllister, Norah Tagwireyi, Melisa Tayali, Takudzwa Chitima, Bianca Zeelie.
13-14 Boys
Luke van Bredan, Takudzwa Nyamutsamba, Takunda Mashaya, Dylan Ferguson, Jaryd Lezar, Phiwo Moyo, Mthabisi Mpofu, Jordan Edwards.
15-16 Girls
Mieke Koen, Jessica Hammond, Estelle Stambolie, Selina Emanuel, Kristy Simon.
15-16 Boys
Robert Zeelie, Richie Hammond, Liam Biehan, Michael Anderson, Anesu Sebastian, Besel Williams, Jordan Lezar, Brendon Cyprianos, Ross Oatley, Dave van der Berg.
17 and over Girls
Avalon Bruce (captain)
17 and over Boys
Andressious Cyprianos (captain), Andrew John Stambolie, Ashby Tinky, Frank Lang, Kurt Steiner, Joshua Lezar.
Online Reporter