ZIMBABWE’S swimming icon Kirsty Coventry yesterday announced her plans to open a swimming academy in the country.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
Speaking from her United States base, Coventry said the academy which would be named after her would help in “reducing drowning incidents by utilising water safety and drowning prevention campaigns”.
“I am very pleased to officially announce the launch of the Kirsty Coventry Academy. This is an initiative that is very close to my heart as there is a prevalent need to address drowning statistics,” Coventry posted on her official website.
“The goal of the Kirsty Coventry Academy is to save lives by decreasing drowning incidents. We aim to achieve this by utilising water safety and drowning prevention campaigns, as well as learn-to-swim programmes.
The Kirsty Coventry Academy would be a non-profit organization. For more information and to keep abreast of upcoming campaigns and learn-to-swim programmes, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/kirstycoventryacademy,” the seven-time Olympic medalist said.
Coventry not only serves her homeland as a sporting inspiration, but also as a philanthropic figure.
Having previously worked with the African Medical and Research Foundation and swimwear brand Arena in Kenya to provide water security as well as speaking to schools and providing swim workshops in Zimbabwe, Coventry strives to mentor and giving as much time as possible to swimming and sports at home and the region.
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Her commitment to responsibility and to truly making a difference continues as she officially announces the launch of the Kirsty Coventry Academy.
Coventry, who was last year made brand ambassador for giant telecommunications company, Econet, is eyeing a shot at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
The swimming star made her comeback to competitive swimming by taking part at the Austin Arena Pro-Swim Series held at the University of Texas in the US last month.
The 31-year-old star, who has been training at SwimMAC Elite team her US base in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the past six months put on a commendable display on her competitive return to the pool, posting some admirable times.
“It feels so good to be racing again. Ninth in the 200 backstroke and second in the 4x200m freestyle relay. A great foundation to work from,” she tweeted then.
