Pinoy can excel in open water swimming

MANILA, Philippines - With the country’s strategic location, Olympic veteran Rene “Guy” Concepcion believes Filipinos can be a force to reckon with in open water swimming – even in the Olympics.

“It’s time for the Philippines to become the first-ever country the world will think of when it comes to fantastic blue waters and great races,” said Concepcion, who competed recently in the FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup in Eilat, Israel.

But for the Filipinos to excel in the fastest growing sport discipline, Concepcion, who was supported by Speedo and Oakley and accompanied by team manager Edster Miranda Sy of Sports Management Solutions, said a long-term program should be put in place.

“We just need a long-term program and some current swimmers must learn to love the ocean more than the pool,” said the 1988 Seoul Olympic veteran who also took part in the 5K. “We have oceans and blue waters around, we can go as far as Mindanao to seach for the best open swimmers.”

There have been open water races in the country, including the Olango Challenge in Cebu, the annual bay fest in Sarangani, the 3-5-8 in Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, and the Speedo-International Swim Masters Series competition in Anilao – the last two organized by Sports Management Solutions.

Concepcion, who is handling La Salle’s successful swimming program, and Sy are hoping that young swimmers – especially the tall and lean ones – will take up the sport diligently since Filipinos have better chances in open swimming than the highly competitive pool events.

Meantime, Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece and Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil topped the men’s and women’s divisions of the event held in the 20-degree waters of the Red Sea.