Ruele on the verge of Rio qualification
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday March 10, 2016 15:50
The Botswana Swimming Sports Association (BSSA) vice chairperson, Ruth Van Der Merwe said the swimmer has three more swim meets where she could make the qualifying time for Rio.
She said Ruele has the ability to make it to the Olympics. She said Ruele has qualified for the US colleges’ division one championship finals that would be held in March 16 in Atlanta.
The championships are an annual swimming and diving competitions for colleges in the USA. Van Der Merwe said they are thrilled by the swimmer’s performance.
“Her hard work is paying off. She is getting better everyday. It is encouraging to see the community getting behind her and supporting her.
The support and encouragement has been amazing. Swimmers are like a big family. She has been consistent with her improvement since her injury last year,” she said.
Van Der Merwe said local swimmers are looking up to Ruele and see how they can go if they also put more hours and effort in training.
Naomi’s mother, Sibongile Ruele said she was excited by her daughter’s performance. She said Naomi has shown strength that she had never imagined. She said all along she considered Naomi as her little girl, but she has proven her wrong.
“She has grown physically and mentally as a swimmer. She failed to qualify for Rio because she had just completed short courses.
It is difficult to adjust quickly and make the transition, but I was amazed by the way she competed. I think she would be able to book herself a ticket to Rio in the next qualifiers,” said the proud mother.
Meanwhile, Naomi scooped two medals for the 100-metre backstroke and freestyle during the Florida International University (FIU) competitions. She was also nominated swimmer of the year.
Naomi is based in the USA under the elite scholarship from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC). International Swimming Federation (FINA) and Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) have assisted the swimmer with funding to prepare for Olympics.