Swimmers beat personal best times at Youth Olympics

(CNS): The Cayman team at the Youth Olympics in Singapore got off to a great start with both swimmers making personal best times. Yesterday (15 August) Lara Butler, competing in the Youth Woman’s 100m Backstroke, had a strong race and finished in 1:08.98. Earlier today in the Youth Men’s 200m Individual Medley Seiji Groome finished in 2:16.84, slashing his previous best (2:18.21) by more than 1½ seconds. Butler now has a few days to rest and prepare for her next race, the Youth Woman’s 100m Butterfly, on 19 August, while Groome is focused on his next race in the Youth Men’s 200 Breastroke on 18 August. (Left: Seiji Groome hits his stride in the Youth Olympics)

The Youth Olympic Sailing Events will begin on 17 August. Lizzy Wauchope has had two solid days of training at the Singapore National Sailing Centre and is set to complete the official practice race on 16 August. From 17 through 25 August Wauchope will compete in 16 races against 31 other countries in the Byte CII Class.

Of the Opening Ceremony, Roffey says in her report, “Singapore put together a fantastic show to kick off the Youth Olympic Games. The show started exactly at 20:10 after all of the athletes marched across the stage and took their seats in the VIP section of the floating arena. With the Singapore financial district skyline as the backdrop, the all youth cast had the audience on the edge of their seats during the show. Seiji Groome carried the Cayman Islands flag into the stadium shortly before the Olympic Flag was raised and the Games were officially declared open. The ceremony finished with the spectacular lighting of the Youth Olympic Games torch.” (Right: Lara Butler)

The Chef de Mission also described the experience for the athletes aside from the competitions. “The Youth Olympic Village is great! There is a lot going on with all of the CEP activities, movie theatre, pool hall and Olympic Gallery. The athletes have the opportunity to meet other athletes their age from 204 different nations around the globe. The World Cultural Village is a great place for everyone, athletes and officials, to learn about all of the nations taking part in the First Youth Olympic Games. The Cayman Team is excited to see what East View Primary and Secondary School will have on display in their Cayman Islands booth opening in The World Cultural Village on August 20th. East View has been working with Savannah Primary, each learning about Cayman and Singapore respectively.” (Left: Lizzy Wauchope)

Roffey said that, as well as preparing fro his next race, Groome is also determined to complete The Culture and Education Programme and earn a limited edition Singapore 2010 Swatch watch.

To keep track of our athletes’ performances and see pictures from the Opening Ceremony, visit the Singapore 2010 website www.singapore2010.sg