Bigger, better Synchro champs

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica will be hosting its second consecutive international Synchronised Swimming Championship between October 7 and 9 at the Bournemouth Bath Pool Swim Complex.

The year's championship, however, promises to be bigger and better, as for the first time a title sponsor has been acquired by the organisers in the form of Claro.

The Claro Jamaica International Synchronised Swimming Championship will feature five countries, including host nation Jamaica. The other countries are Curaçao, Panama, Peru and the United States of America. This marks an increase in the number of participants from last year, which saw only three countries.

The championship will start at 2 p.m. on the first day, with figures competitions for all ages. On the second day, duets and solos in all age groups will take centre stage, from 3 p.m., while on the final day, trio and team events will commence at 7 a.m.

Latoy Williams, media manager at Claro, was pleased that her company was able to provide the support and exposure needed.

"We believe it was exposure well needed for the team," said Williams.

"We have invested $400,000 with Synchro Stars Jamaica and we have spent a million dollars so far in executing and helping to get this on the go," she added, while speaking at the press launch for the championship at the Knutsford Court Hotel yesterday.

Diahann Campbell, chairperson of Synchro Stars, is very excited with the level of support that the sport is now receiving.

"We have more support because FINA (Federation International Nastacion Association) has come on board - the international governing body," said Campbell.

"The Jamaica Olympic Association has also recognised what we are doing and we have gotten endorsements that we have never gotten before," she added.

FINA has also sought to get the average Jamaican involved in the sport, as they will be staging clinics through the Jamaica Olympic Association between October 5 and 9.

The clinics, which will be free, are geared at exposing anyone interested to the sport.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, though unable to attend the press launch, sent a written speech that was read by director of communications for the ministry, Oliver Watt.

In her speech, Grange pointed out that she eagerly awaits the expansion of the synchronised swimming programme into the schools. In addition, she pledged her support for the association's ambitions to qualify a team for the aquatic event at the next Youth Olympics Games in Beijing, China, in 2014.

Carrie Reynolds, head coach of Jamaica's synchronised swimming team, which finished second last year, expects the team to give another good showing.

"I think they are going to perform really well as they have been practising hard," said Reynolds. "We have novice, which is a 12 and under team, 13-15 and age group (advanced synchronised swimmers). I think the age group will do extremely well and I think the 13-15 routine is strong," she added.