Africa-Press – Angola. The traditional starting block, made of cement, and the hot climate that has been felt in the last few days in the city of Luanda are among the complaints of the athletes who compete in the African Swimming Championship in Zone IV, at the Alvalade swimming pool, in Luanda.
On the subject, some competitors told that they were experiencing difficulties due to these two mentioned elements, with a strong influence on sports performance.
Mozambican Matthew Lawrence, champion of the 50m butterfly (25.27), said that the starting block, cemented, slips when wet, a situation that impairs the athlete’s performance, especially in fast events.
Lawrence, who was speaking after the 100m butterfly final, in which he lost (56.76) to the Angolan Salvador Gordo (56.31), said that in swimming, time defines and even if they are tenths behind, in fast events it is difficult to recover.
The scholarship holder from the Mozambican Federation at the Centro de Alto Rendimento do Jamor, in Portugal, stressed that he is used to a colder climate and that the high temperature registered in the capital heats the water, which makes the transition inside the tank difficult.
The Angolan Salvador Gordo, winner of the 100 m butterfly, studying and training in Scotland, also regretted the climate factor.
On Thursday, a Zambian athlete slipped on his way to the starting block and took time to regain his concentration.
Zonal IV ends on Sunday at Ilha do Mussulo with open water competitions.
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