Kirsty Coventry Replies to “An Unlikely Hero”

By Kirsty Coventry

THE article about me — "An Unlikely Hero" — by Craig Lord in the February issue of Swimming World in no way reflects the interview that I engaged in with Mr. Lord.

I was led to believe that the article would focus on my swimming life
and would not draw the political atmosphere of Zimbabwe into it. However,
after reading the article, it seems that Mr. Lord took his own liberties and agendas into consideration and wrote an unfounded account of his ideas of Zimbabwe and placed them on my back.

I am very flattered that Swimming World would use me as its feature
article as I am a big fan of the magazine and what it has done and continues to do for the sport of swimming, but unfortunately, I feel that I was misrepresented in the article.

The following is the entire interview conducted by Mr. Lord, via e-mail, with my responses.

LORD: "I'm writing a feature for Swimming World on all the stuff
surrounding your homecoming and the amazing reception that you got back
home. Naturally, I touch on the politics of it and I've picked up the very
gracious quotes you gave to the world media at the time and since you got
back to Auburn. I fully understand why you would not wish to comment on the
political situation in Zimbabwe, so question 1 on the list below is there
because professionally, I am bound to ask it. If you feel unable to answer,
It will go no further than that. Beyond that first question it's pretty
straightforward.

1. "Just how hard has life been for your immediate and extended family
back home in Zimbabwe and have they suffered any form of racial hatred, felt threatened in their daily lives and how hopeful are you of a happy outcome for all Zimbabweans, black and white, at some stage in the future?

A. "I don't like mixing politics with sports. I don't think they should
be mixed".

2. Can you describe what life was like growing up at home and how did you get into swimming?

A. It was awesome, I have a very close-knit family and we always had a
Sunday lunch and spent the day together, all aunts, uncles, cousins. I loved going to Kariba, which is our biggest lake, on the houseboat, fishing and lying in the sun. The sunsets were incredible and my favorite time of day watching the animals coming down to the water, elephants, water buck, impala, zebra, giraffe. My grandparents, on my dad's side were involved in swimming . My parents, especially my dad and his brothers, were all very sporty, especially in swimming. My mom taught me how to swim when I was 18 months and I started at a club, the Highlands, when I was 6 years, then I moved to Otters for a couple of months. I have been at Pirates With Mr and Mrs. Mathieson since I was 12.

3. What were the conditions in which you swam back home..Was it a private pool, private club and were there black swimmers training alongside you?

A. I have been at Pirates for most of my swimming career. We swam at a high
school pool and it was open to anybody who wanted to swim and all ages.

4. What was the name of your club and club coach back home in Zim?
A. Pirates, Mr and Mrs Mathieson.

5. I believe your family were just about all swimmers, including your
granddad…Obviously none of them were quite as good as you, but how far did they get, to what level did they swim, and did they do any other sports (is it true you came from what the media like to call 'a sporty family'?

A. Yes I came from a very sporty family. They all played a lot of sport. My dad's brother — my uncle — swam for the country.

6. Your family runs a chemicals business in Hárare, according to
reports..What is the business: is it agribusiness, pool chemicals (what is
the nature of the business, and is it family owned?)

A. Yes, it is called Omnichem. It is all household chemicals, from laundry
to cleaning.

7. Could you outline a typical day in the life of Kirsty Coventry, arts
student at Auburn (on a day when you are training!). –.i.e., rise at
5.30am, in pool by 6.30pm, breakfast at 8.45pm etc, that sort of thing,
until, bed by 10pm…

A. I wake up around 5.30 for practice at 6. Then it is off to class at 9
until about 1. Then its lunch, and then back to the pool at 3. I am a
hotel and restaurant major and am minoring in business.

8. Could you list a typical training set you might do during a heavy
winter training period…

A. 3 by 800 on 14mins with 4 50's loosen, best average.

9. How is life at Auburn? Do you like campus life, and when not swimming
what kinds of things do you like to do and who do you hang out with?
A. I love Auburn. [Coming here] was the best decision I have made in my
life so far. It is like having a huge family with fifty sisters and
brothers. The coaches are great role models and all very family-oriented, so that helped a lot when I was homesick. Kim (Brackin) is not only a great coach but has been a great friend and a great mother figure. I hang out a lot with the team: we watch movies, go out, and just enjoy spending time with each other.

10. How often do you get back to Zimbabwe? Did you go back for the
Christmas new year break? And if so, where do you train?

A. I usually try and go home every summer, and I got to spend Christmas with my family in England this year, which was awesome. I train with my club coach.

11. Montreal is the big one for next summer…I take it you are
competing..Will the focus be medley and backstroke, and what kind of race
schedule have you got between now and July?

A. Yeah, I'm planning on being there. I'm not too sure about the program
yet, but pretty sure I will be swimming the backstrokes and IMs.

12. Do you have to qualify for Montreal or are you already selected?
A. I m not too sure. I'm pretty sure I will have to qualify by the FINA set times.

13. Why Auburn?

A. Because they are the best and the coaches and team were so welcoming.
The coaching staff is amazing and I thank them for giving me the chance to
be a part of this great team.

14. Ok, that's just about it, apart from the following…I don't know if
you caught the Brooke Hanson feature in November edition of Swimming
World, but the mag likes to do a quick fact box file. It's pretty
straightforward, so if you have the time please could you fill in the
answers:

Height- 5'"8
Weight – 132lbs
DoBirth – 16th September 83
Place of Birth – Harare, Zimbabwe
Current Home…Suburb of Auburn, or campus, or? – Living in a house with
three of my best friends from the team: Anne, Twanie and Lala
Club – I know
Coach(es) – I know but please add if more than one coach gets a mention
Boyfriend name? – Ryan
Any pets? – No but I really want a dog
Favourite food: Chocolate, really bad sweet tooth
Favourite book: Drum Beat
Favourite movie: Don't really have a favourite.
Favourite music – Enjoy all.
Secret plan in life (one that you don't mind revealing!) – To open my own
restaurant

Many thanks, Kirsty,, and all the very best for 2005."

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