Gagan AP Ullalmath of Karnataka and his coach Pradeep Kumar, both of whom belong to the Basavangudi Aquatic Centre in Bangalore, are all geared up to dive, swim and emerge with some credit if not all distinction in the London Olympic swimming competition.
“Yes, all the clouds have been cleared and the entry has been forwarded and confirmed. Gagan is the lone Indian who will be in the fray. We are boarding the flight on Monday morning. Perhaps, he was destined to be there while the others like Virdhawal Khade, Sandeep Sejwal and Aaron D’Souza and Saurabh Sangvekar were plain unlucky,” said Pradeep Kumar.
The 20-year-old Bangalorean got the nod from FINA under the Universality ahead of the four who had attained the Olympic Selection Time (OST, B qualifying mark).
“National Federations or Olympic committees with no swimmers who have achieved either the Standard Entry Time may enter one man and one woman (Universality) provided that those swimmers participated in the 14th FINA World Championships — Shanghai 2011 and are approved by FINA to compete.”
Gagan made it under that rule. In any case, Gagan had participated in the 800m freestyle event at the Shanghai and had set a national record of 8:21.90 secs in the event. However, his entry in London is for the 1,500m in which his best time is 15:59.33 secs.
“The long distance event is his pet trip and he has done well in that event in the past. But yes, the Olympics are a different proposition. 21 swimmers made it under the A category and nine got through in the B category for the 1,500 metres. So 30 swimmers already have times which are faster than what Gagan has,” said Pradeep.
“But the consolation is that Gagan is the only swimmer among all nations to be picked under the Universality quota for the 1,500 metres event of 150 swimmers for all events. Consequently, Gagan will be assured of taking the 31st spot if not higher. That in itself will be historic for Indian swimming as all through, we have been finishing 80 and beyond,” reasoned Pradeep.
“We are giving it our best shot and I am confident Gagan will do India and Karnataka proud in London,” Pradeep concluded. “I feel very proud to be the lone Indian to represent the country in swimming. I consider it to be a great honour,” said Gagan.