Sports & Activities
World OutGames: Sports roundup
Photo Credit: Andrew Delaware
Amsterdam participants Peter Van Vuuren, a 46-year-old account director for a publishing firm, and Fifi Arp win the gold medal in co-ed pairs. We took a moment to speak with Peter following the medal ceremony about his experience in Montreal's Olympic Pool.
You just came from an exhilarating performance. Tell us what was special about this performance for you.
It is always fun to move yourself to music. I've got a beautiful partner in Fifi, who is really excellent in this performance. It was a real joy to swim with her.
How long have you been preparing this routine for competition?
We've been preparing for the OutGames for almost 8 months.
What did you have to do to get yourself ready?
We exercised together twice a week for at least an hour. We had to practice our obligatory figures, which are then woven into both our technical and free routines. We also do some technical drills, such as practicing our eggbeater to strengthen our legs and some other exercises to strengthen our arms and upper bodies. So we have to do much more than just practice our routine.
What about dry land training?
On dry land, we rehearse the routine dry, making similar movements with our arms instead of our legs. It looks a bit funny to someone who hasn't seen it before, but it helps us to train the routine, and to pinpoint it to the second.
I also train as a regular swimmer five times a week, which helps with my strength and cardio for competition.
You just came from an exhilarating performance. Tell us what was special about this performance for you.
It is always fun to move yourself to music. I've got a beautiful partner in Fifi, who is really excellent in this performance. It was a real joy to swim with her.
How long have you been preparing this routine for competition?
We've been preparing for the OutGames for almost 8 months.
What did you have to do to get yourself ready?
We exercised together twice a week for at least an hour. We had to practice our obligatory figures, which are then woven into both our technical and free routines. We also do some technical drills, such as practicing our eggbeater to strengthen our legs and some other exercises to strengthen our arms and upper bodies. So we have to do much more than just practice our routine.
What about dry land training?
On dry land, we rehearse the routine dry, making similar movements with our arms instead of our legs. It looks a bit funny to someone who hasn't seen it before, but it helps us to train the routine, and to pinpoint it to the second.
I also train as a regular swimmer five times a week, which helps with my strength and cardio for competition.