CONNECTOR.AE 36 CONNECTOR.AE 37 Kids And Education Kids And Education Karine, who has participated in various championships, emphasises the intensity of her training regimen for the Olympics. She trains eight times a week, dedicating one and a half to two hours per session. Her schedule includes three dry land sessions focusing on bodyweight exercises and one gym session weekly, gradually increasing strength through weight training. Stretching is also crucial for maintaining flexibility. In swimming, recovery plays a vital role alongside training. Karine prioritises sleep, stretching, and nutrition, eating carbohydrates close to training sessions for energy and includes ample protein for muscle development. Karine ensures meals are eaten two to three hours before swimming to avoid digestive issues, and opts for natural sugars from fruits and dates over refined sugars for sustained energy. Her diet is balanced and healthy, supporting her performance in the pool. The motivation to follow this discipline stems from her passion for swimming and the supportive environment at GEMS Wellington, where dedicated coaches and teachers contribute to her progress and well-being. Christina shares her rigorous training routine as she prepares for the Olympics. Currently, she trains eight times a week, her sessions include three gym workouts lasting between an hour and 45 minutes to two hours each. In the build up to the Olympics, Christina’s focus was on perfecting her technique and stroke for the 50m freestyle event. Early mornings start at 4am with a quick snack before diving into training, which lasts two to two and a half hours. Nutrition is key for Christina, guided closely by her mom who ensures she replenishes her body with high-protein meals due to the intense calorie burn from swimming, especially as a sprint swimmer. She maintains a balanced diet with a focus on carbohydrates for energy but avoids fats and refined sugars. Despite her young age, Christina is mindful not to overindulge, maintaining discipline to support her athletic performance. Support Of The Family Maintaining discipline and following rules are crucial, but having a supportive environment is equally vital. Both Karine and Christina emphasise the importance of their loving families and friends. They highlight how this support system provides them with a safe space and positive vibes, making their challenging journey more manageable and rewarding. Karine says, “My parents have always been my rock, the most supportive people in my life. They’re incredibly happy and overwhelmed about accompanying me to Paris. Their unwavering support has been evident in every aspect of my journey, from dropping me off at training, and ensuring I have the right nutrition, to lifting me when I feel emotionally drained. Through all my highs and lows, they’ve stood by me, offering encouragement and understanding. Their presence and support mean more to me than words can express.” Christina adds, “Everyone in my family is super happy for me and are very supportive, but my biggest supporter has always beenmy mom. She’s been my backbone in swimming from the very beginning, starting my career and travelling with me to every competition. I remember my first international experience in Germany where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak much German. My mom was there, ensuring I didn’t feel overwhelmed among competitors who knew each other well. Every day, she wakes up at 4am with me, drives me to training, prepares my meals to fuel me for peak performance, and offers invaluable advice before and after every competition. Her unwavering support and dedication have been crucial, and I’m incredibly grateful to have her by my side.” Hobbies Besides Swimming Apart from swimming, Christina enjoys playing basketball and netball, representing her school in competitions for both sports. Beyond athletics, she has a passion for reading and playing the piano, currently progressing through Grade 7 and aiming to complete her piano studies soon. Karine enjoys playing basketball, and she also loves playing the piano, which is not sports-related but holds a special place in her heart. However, swimming remains her top priority among all her interests. Road To Olympics Sharing her excitement, Karine says, “I’ve always dreamed of going to the Olympics since I started swimming. It feels surreal right now like I’m living my dream. Representing my country at the highest level in swimming is an incredible honour. I still can’t believe it’s happening, but I’m incredibly proud to be competing on this stage and making my country proud.” Meanwhile, sharing her emotions, Christina adds, “Right after finishing my exams, my mom received a call from the Eritrean Federation, and she burst into my room, jumping and screaming, I made it to the Olympics! It was surreal; ever since I was a kid, watching the Olympics with my family, it’s been my dream. Their overwhelming support means everything as I prepare to compete and proudly represent Eritrea on this extraordinary journey. The excitement spread through my entire family, even my brother and dad were in shock. Now, as news spreads across my school and the Dubai community, their encouragement continues to fuel my determination to swim my best.” Despite facing numerous challenges, navigating inner battles, managing stress, and balancing rigorous training with studies and personal lives, Karine and Christina are now set to compete among the world’s elite athletes at the Olympics. We extend our heartfelt wishes for their success and commend their dedication and resilience in pursuing their dreams on such a grand stage.
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