Twenty-five
future Olympians began their 'Road to Rio 2016' at Thanyapura – the first
Official FINA Training Centre in Southeast Asia – at a press conference
attended by the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Kobkarn
Wattanavrangkul.
The
world class sporting facility Thanyapura announced the official partnership with
the aquatics international body FINA this week at the press conference hosted
in Phuket, Thailand.
Ms.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said: "We are proud to be the official venue for
the FINA scholars training here in Phuket. The Ministry is in full support of
the growth of Thanyapura, as Thailand strengthens its status as the Sports Hub
of Asia."
Mr.
Pipat Paniangvait, FINA Honorary Treasurer, said: "This initiative –
"Targeting Rio 2016" – is part of a wider development strategy from
FINA aimed at raising the level of Aquatics worldwide, providing specific
programmes for athletes and officials in the five continents. In 2014, the
scholarships for swimmers were created and centres are already active in USA,
Portugal and now in Thailand.
Mr.
Philipp Graf von Hardenberg said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing
how these young swimmers progress along their 'Road to Rio'. "It's a
pleasure to have them training at Thanyapura – the Official FINA Training
Centre in Southeast Asia. We have everything here that an athlete would need to
improve their performance and make their country proud at the 2016 Rio
Olympics."
The
scholarship applicants were selected from 11 countries, including Thailand,
Nepal, the Maldives, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar,
Timor Leste and Rwanda.
Head
Coach Miguel, who coached five Olympians and three paralympians to success with
20 medals, said: "I am excited to have these 25 swimmers at Thanyapura. I
have found a great pool of talent. The team momentum will make the swimmers
better."
The
swimmers will get both an education and cultural experience of Thailand. They
will stay in the Phuket International Academy boarding houses and will have the
opportunity to join in on lessons, school functions, work with junior students
and help coach swimming, in both PE lessons and after school activities.
Thanyapura's
swimming facilities include a 50m Olympic competition pool, a 25m training and
teaching pool, Omega Track start blocks, a Daktronics timing system and
scoreboard, an underwater video analysis window, ozone filtration and sports
science services.
The
spectacular 23-hectare one-stop-shop mega venue is a regular training base for
triathlon stars, such as two-time world champion Caroline Steffen, Hall of
Famer Belinda Granger and UK F1 driver Jenson Button. World tennis player Maria
Sharapova was also on the list of athletes who have trained here.
They
are lured to the acclaimed sporting Mecca because of the Olympic-standard
facilities and world-class stable of coaches, sports scientists, sports
psychologists, dieticians, physiotherapists and chiropractors - with everything
underpinned by Thanyapura's unique three-dimensional coaching model for the
mind, body and soul.
Thanyapura
is a destination with the finest sports facilities, mindful services and expert
coaching on the tropical island of Phuket. We are committed to improve
performance and health, inspire the mind, instill well-being to optimize your
potential. Thanyapura's three-dimensional approach to coaching pays equal
regard to the development of the body, mind and soul, benefiting from the
complex's world-class facilities, wide open spaces in a peaceful environment
and pace-setting coaches of their respective disciplines.
Fifteen
minutes from Phuket International Airport, Thanyapura presents a unique and
inspiring destination for individuals and groups, from professionals to amateur
sports enthusiasts or simply for those looking for a balanced approach to their
lifestyle. Thanyapura's 23-hectare site comprises of four centres: Thanyapura
Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC), Thanyapura Mind Centre (TMC), Thanyapura Health
(TH) and Phuket International Academy (PIA) School working towards becoming a
UWC (United World College). Its facilities include a 115-room sports hotel
(pool wing and garden wing) and DiVine Restaurant & Cellar and Booster
Daily & Bar, where an extensive range of regionally grown organic food
underpins the menu.
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