No dream is too small, and age is never a barrier to achieving greatness. Whether you're 16 or 60, if you dare to dream and work hard for it, success is within reach. Along the way, you'll face challenges, moments of doubt, and setbacks, but believing in your goals and persevering through adversity opens up limitless possibilities. Proving this philosophy are two remarkable young girls from Dubai, poised to bring honour to their home country and the UAE at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Connector had the privilege of interviewing Karin Belbeisi, 15, and Christina Rach, 16, shining stars in the world of swimming. Their inspiring journey is bound to inspire and motivate you!
Karin Belbeisi, a 15-year-old student at GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail, will represent Jordan in the 400m freestyle swimming event. Christina Rach, aged 16 and attending GEMS Wellington International School, Al Sufouh 1, will compete in the 50m freestyle swimming event, representing Eritrea in East Africa.
Both teenage swimmers, trained by Hamilton Aquatics at GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail, have fulfilled their lifelong dreams of Olympic participation through years of dedicated training and rigorous international competitions.
How Did It All Start For Karine And Christina
Karin Belbeisi began swimming at the age of four through an intensive summer program with Hamilton Aquatics. Her talent and commitment were evident early on, and at just 13, she represented Jordan at the 2022 Arab Championships in Algeria. Karin's journey to the Olympics included winning three medals at the 2024 Arab Championships in Qatar and competing at the World Long Course Championships and Asian Age Group Championships in Doha, where she achieved multiple top-10 finishes.
To secure her spot on Jordan's Olympic team, Karin travelled to Singapore for the 19th Singapore Nationals, where she set personal bests in the 400m individual medley, 400m freestyle, and 800m freestyle, solidifying her selection for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
For Christina Rach, she started swimming at age six and joined the Hamilton Aquatics Squads Programme by age ten. Under the guidance of coach Katie Baxa since 2021, Christina has trained in the Youth 2 squad and competed in numerous international competitions. At the African Aquatics Zone 3 Championships in November 2023, she claimed gold in the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle, along with a silver in the 50m freestyle.
In February 2024, Christina achieved a personal best in the 50m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, securing her qualification for the Paris Games.
Their journey may seem like a dream, but it's been built on sacrifices, discipline, determination, and perseverance at such a young age. What began as a childhood activity has evolved into a passion and now a profession, defying norms while balancing school, friendships, and more.
Reflecting on her early swimming experiences, Karine shares, "When I was young, my parents enroled me in various sports activities. Initially, my mom signed me up for swimming because everyone needs to learn. It became clear to both me and my parents that swimming was my passion, I didn't enjoy anything else as much. Since then, I never missed a training session; I was always eager to go. Swimming became a constant in my life, propelling me to where I am today."
Describing her swimming journey, Christina reflects, "Initially, my mom wanted me to be safe in the pool, so that's how I first got into swimming. Over the years, I began competing more seriously, starting with school competitions and then moving on to Hamilton competitions in Dubai. As I improved and became more competitive, Coach Rob from Hamilton noticed my potential to represent my country, especially as I started competing internationally."
Transitioning From Hobby To Competitive Swimming
Swimming is a fantastic activity that promotes fitness, connects you with nature, and serves as a rewarding hobby. Yet, transitioning to professional swimming entails more than just mastering techniques. There's a noticeable shift in mindset, especially when you're young and in school, observing others enjoying carefree moments while your focus shifts to a more disciplined path. This adjustment is easier as an adult, but as a child, it poses unique challenges.
Reflecting on her early days and the shift from swimming as a hobby to a professional pursuit, Karine explains, "My perspective on swimming had to evolve. It wasn't just about training to see friends any more. Even though socialising is part of it, my primary focus shifted to giving my best in the pool. One of the toughest challenges I encountered was dealing with injuries. At one point, I broke my arm, which was tough. It affected my self-esteem and motivation. However, I was fortunate to receive immense support from my coaches, school, and especially my parents. Their encouragement helped me bounce back stronger and motivated me to train even harder than before."
Christina reflects on her journey from ups to downs and finding her path in competitive swimming: "My journey has been full of highs and lows like many athletes can relate to. Competing at the German Nationals was a pinnacle moment for me early on, it's an elite competition with top athletes worldwide. However, I've also faced setbacks, including knee and shoulder injuries over the past two years, which were challenging periods for me. Overcoming these obstacles has taught me resilience and persistence, shaping me into the athlete I am today. Initially, swimming was something fun I shared competitively with my twin brother. While he pursued basketball, I continued swimming and excelled, particularly at events like the Middle East Open Junior Championships in Dubai. Winning medals there affirmed my potential as a professional swimmer and fuelled my determination to pursue this sport competitively."
Difference Between Training For School Competitions And International Tournaments
Both Karine and Christina have garnered numerous accolades within their schools and at international tournaments. Discussing the differences between competing at various levels and locations, Karine shares, "I think the biggest contrast lies in how you mentally prepare yourself. When you're at a school competition, it's important to focus on visualising relays and teamwork. However, in international competitions, the key is to remain calm and avoid panicking, especially since you're often in unfamiliar places surrounded by unfamiliar faces."
Christina, on the other hand, experienced a significant mental shift during her competitive journey. Reflecting on her transformation, she explains, "About two to three years ago, anyone who knew me would tell you that I struggled a lot mentally with swimming. After races where I didn't achieve a personal best or felt I could have done better, I would often struggle emotionally. There were moments when I questioned whether I wanted to continue swimming and dealt with those intense emotions. However, realising that swimming isn't the sole focus of my life and doesn't define who I am has been crucial. Knowing that my teammates and coaches understand these challenges has been comforting. We're all in this together, supporting each other through similar experiences."
Diet, Discipline And Sacrifices Made Along The Way
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, Karine and Christina are engaged in rigorous training routines. As professional athletes in swimming, they have each made sacrifices to establish disciplined routines, build their physiques, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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 been my 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.