Word: senakwami
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...years ago, Dagbovi John Senakwami didn't know how to swim, but today he's tantalizingly close to becoming an Olympian. He has no endorsements and no chance at a medal, but he does have a dream: to be the first swimmer to represent his homeland, the African nation of Togo, in the Olympics. It could be a made-for-TV fable if it weren't for politics...
Despite his muscular build, Senakwami, 30, is not quite a world-class athlete. He's a music teacher who came to New York City in 1987 to further his career. In the meantime, he fulfilled a lifelong "obsession" with water and taught himself to swim. Despite an awkward technique, he was a fast learner. During workouts at Lehman College, he met John Collins, who coaches, among others, 1992 gold medalist Lea Loveless, and who was impressed with Senakwami's determination. The Togolese took a leave from his job with the Boys Choir of Harlem and began training six or more...
...politics. Last month Togo's Sports Minister told Senakwami that he would make the team. But then Senakwami heard that Togo's Olympic Committee said he had to meet a qualifying time lower than his present pace. Senakwami says fina, swimming's governing body, sometimes waives the rule to help promote the sport--and will do so. "It's an excuse," he says. "Somebody in Togo doesn't want me to go." If so, Togo will be losing not just an Olympian but also a parable of persistence. Says Senakwami: "I refuse to give up." --By Lawrence Mondi...
| 1 |