As the world turned its attention to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, our GESS community beamed with pride as two of our own, Ada, who represented Nigeria, and Chint Chint, who represented Myanmar, stepped onto the global stage to compete in swimming. Their journey to the Olympics is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering support of the school and community.
Early Beginnings
Ada and Chint Chint’s passion for swimming began at an early age. Ada who started swimming at the age of eight, and Chint Chint, who took to the water at nine, quickly discovered their love for the sport. Their early training sessions were characterized by countless hours in the pool, honing their skills and building the foundation for their future success.
The Road to Success
With each passing year, Ada and Chint Chint’s passion for swimming became more pronounced. However, this journey demanded sacrifices. Ada had to part ways with other sports she enjoyed, including volleyball and football. For Chint Chint, the time sacrifices such as early 5am starts and long training sessions until 7.30pm on school days, are vital to his progress toward his dream, and he believes that “every moment in the pool has been worth it”.
Balancing academics with intense training schedules was no easy feat. When Ada was asked how she juggles her training with schoolwork, she explained that the relentless training often leaves her exhausted at school, but with the support of her coach and teammates, she knows she’s not alone, and the school has been supportive.
Chint Chint has learned to manage his time wisely and cope with a stressful schedule. He added “I make sure to stay on top of things by organizing my tasks and setting clear priorities. To handle the workload, I often do schoolwork over the weekends and during school holidays. GESS has been extremely understanding, even providing support for my schoolwork when I’m preparing for competitions.”
Olympic Dreams Realized
The culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication came when Ada and Chint Chint were set to represent their country at the Paris Olympic Games. For both athletes, it was a dream come true – a testament to the countless hours spent perfecting their skills.
In the Women’s 50m Freestyle, Ada delivered a stunning performance, finishing second in the race. Chint Chint, in the Men’s 100m Freestyle, also the youngest swimmer in this category, clinched second place in the heat. Chint Chint was also the flag bearer for his country – Myanmar, a big gesture of honour for our young swimmer.
Inspiring Future Generations
Ada and Chint Chint’s success at the Olympic Games is more than just a personal triumph, it’s an inspiration to the entire GESS community and beyond. For current and future students at GESS, their journey offers a blueprint for success. They have shown that it’s possible to balance academics with high-level sports, and that with passion and hard work, the sky – or in this case, the pool – is the limit.
An Environment of Excellence
Behind every successful athlete is a dedicated coach, and for Ada and Chint Chint, that mentor is Coach Ivan. He has been instrumental in shaping our athletes into the swimmers they are today.
“Our swimmers train rigorously on a day-to-day basis to become better athletes and individuals, so I expect nothing less from them for the Olympics. My advice to Ada and Chint Chint is to always believe in themselves, stay focused, and accept every challenge to find balance between school and swimming,”
His emphasis on self-belief, focus, and balance has not only prepared them for the physical demands of the sport but also for the mental challenges that come with competing at the highest level.
Ada and Chint Chint’s achievements at the Olympic Games have secured their places in the annals of GESS history. Their success is also a reflection of the supportive environment at GESS, where all our students are encouraged to pursue their passions and achieve their full potential.
