Bovell’s coach expects more

Dave Marsh, coach of Trinidad and Tobago’s top swimmer George Bovell, believes the 20-year-old marvel has more significant feats to achieve. Marsh said there is scope for more improvement for Bovell, who smashed the short-course 200-metre individual medley world record last weekend. “George (Bovell) is still learning about this sport and, for me, being a coach, that is exciting,” Marsh said. “I mean, we don’t even know what his best event is at the moment because he can swim most so well, but there is no need to rush, cause we’ll figure it out,” Marsh added.

At the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Long Island, New York, Bovell won the 200-IM on the first night when he lowered the record by seven-tenths of a second to one minute 53.93 seconds. Competing for Auburn Univer-sity, he also registered some other outstanding swims — becoming the third fastest man this year in the 50-metre freestyle (21.40 seconds) and the fourth fastest in the 100-metre freestyle (47.06 seconds).

But even with those great performances, Marsh is more psyched by Bovell’s potential to develop into a better swimmer. “As I said, he is still young and I believe his time will come,” stated the Auburn coach. “George prepared a lot better than last year and he is a better athlete this year, but there are areas where he can still grow,” he added.  Asked about Bovell’s chances of medalling at the Athens Olympics, Marsh replied: “I think he has a great chance of getting among the medals”. (CMC)