The Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) plans to send a Bhutanese swimmer to the upcoming Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan this year for the very first time. Until today, only Bhutanese archers and shooters have been competing in various Olympic games since 1984 through invitations and wild card entries. Originally scheduled to take place last year, the event was postponed to July this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the support from Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), an international swimming federation, Kinley Lhendup and Sangay Tenzin, both in their teens, have been training at the FINA training centre in Thailand for the last two years.
“We are completely new to this sport. Even our officials are new to the sports. But we are still learning the basics of swimming and as time passes by, we hope we will reach the level of other sports as well,” said Sangay Tenzin.
“Before there was no scope in any sports in Bhutan. But now, football and basketball are improving. Likewise, we also hope swimming will improve,” added Kinley Lhendup.
Having participated in the 18th FINA World Championship held in South Korea in 2019, Bhutan recently became eligible to take part in swimming in the Olympic games. Unlike other sports, swimming and athletics will have wild card places at this year’s Tokyo Olympics while others will have to qualify. However, he or she has to take part in at least one world championship event.
“Only one of us will go to the Olympics and it will be decided in the competition in Bangkok this month. We are doing our best, we have given everything and we hope for the best. May the best one represent our country in the Olympics,” said Sangay Tenzin.
“One of the main things that I learned here is that it’s not about individual performance. It is all about teamwork and family. So, no matter who goes, we will keep on supporting and encouraging each other,” added Kinley Lhendup.
With the support from FINA, the pair also took part in numerous swimming events in Thailand, Russia, Singapore, and Malaysia in the last two years.
Likewise, the BOC also plans to send two additional archers, one judo fighter, and a shooter in the upcoming Olympic games through wild card entries. For now, the BOC has applied for the wild card spot and is currently waiting for a response from the International Olympic Committee.
Passang Dorji
