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In sync with each other, out to rule the world
Roaming around, chatting with other athletes and checking out the International Zone in general, the Australian synchronised swimming team looked fresh and vibrant, reports Anupma Tripathi.
Roaming around, chatting with other athletes and checking out the International Zone in general, the Australian synchronised swimming team looked fresh and vibrant.
With their glowing faces, wide smiles, and absolutely no signs of jet lag, the team looked quite ready for action.
It was hard to believe that the team had landed just that morning!
"Maybe we are used to these of situations and pressures," winked 23-year-old Eloise Amberger, a team member.
Interestingly, the trio headed straight to the Shehnaz Hussain beauty products outlet. "I've heard a lot about their cosmetic products so just wanted to check them out," said 26-year-old Tarren Otte.
The girls come from different parts of Australia. Sarah Bombella is from the Gold Coast, Eloise Amberger is from the Sunshine Coast, to the north of Brisbane.
On the other hand, Tarren Otte is from Melbourne. The girls are miles apart from each other but when it comes to training, they get together at the Gold Coast and go through the paces.
The geographical barrier hasn't stopped them from becoming one of the top teams in the world.
One of the finalists at the Beijing Olympics, these girls are making their debut at the Commonwealth Games with their fingers crossed. "We are hoping that we go back with a few medals," said 27-year-old Bombella. "It will only help the sport pick up momentum back home."
The dedication and determination is quite apparent from the way they pose for our cameras, displaying their skills and reaffirming their status as among the very best. But prod them a little more, and they tell you the reality. "Synchronised swimming is not very popular in Australia," says Bombella. "We don't have any sponsors and so we cannot afford to keep swimming without a side-job to sustain ourselves."
Bombella works at a retail store, while Otte has just completed a teacher training course. The youngest of the lot, Amberger is pursuing Forensic Science from Melbourne University.
Asked if they were apprehensive before coming to India, they replied in the negative. "The village is world-class, the rooms are good and there is nothing to complain about. We are going to focus on giving our best," said Otte with a confident smile.
