Rio olympic Singpore

In wake of Schooling's success, Lopez sees bright future for Singapore

 

 

 

 SINGAPORE: He called it humbling to be in Rio, watching one of his charges make history for his nation.

Sergio Lopez, the coach most closely identified with Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist, has every right to indulge in chest-thumping - and not just because of the 21-year-old Singaporean's awe-inspiring victory over Michael Phelps.
Other Bolles School Sharks that came to prominence the past fortnight are Team USA’s Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel, both who won gold; Canadian Santo Condorelli, who made the finals in three of his four events, and Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace of the Bahamas.
Together, these swimmers picked up six gold medals, setting one world record, three Olympic records, two Asian records, and a handful of national marks along the way.
Lopez - who had been training Schooling for five years in Bolles School in Florida before coming over to Singapore to be national swim coach - also saw American breaststroke specialist Kevin Cordes picking up a share of the 4x100m medley relay gold medal, apart from narrowly missing the podium in the 100m final. Cordes had sought out Lopez in his Olympic run-up, electing to train here in Singapore to prepare for Rio.


Lopez recalled how he and fellow Bolles School coaches were pinching themselves when they first worked with the likes of Schooling and Murphy.
“They were 14- and 15-year-olds, and we were thinking: ‘These kids are going to be Olympic champions’, because you can see there’s a difference with them,” he said.
“And to have four guys like that, at the same place, and the same time, is very rare. So I feel very privileged, and (it's) humbling to see what happens in a place like that … and to be part of that.”
Added the 48-year-old: “I could’ve retired before the Olympics and would’ve been a very happy person. But now even more, it’s very exciting.”
QUAH ZHENG WEN HAS "HEART OF A TRUE CHAMPION"

 
Lopez is back in town for a short 72 hours, taking part in Thursday’s open bus victory parade for Schooling, and generally wrapping up his 20-month stint as head coach of Singapore swimming.
At noon on Friday (Aug 19), about 200 coaches turned up at the Singapore Sports Hub Library to hear him talk about his coaching philosophy, and his thoughts on the future of swimming here.
Of particular interest was the future of Quah Zheng Wen, who came away from Rio having qualified for two semi-finals, but having been criticised by a few journalists for not talking to the media.
Lopez had no doubt the 20-year-old could be Singapore’s next Olympic medallist, but much will hinge on what happens in the next four years.
“Zheng Wen is a great kid. He trains really hard, he’ll do whatever you ask him to, and he has the heart of a true champion,” said Lopez.
“It was heartbreaking for him to miss the 200m butterfly final by 0.08 seconds, but he knows that, and I think he’ll be ready (for Tokyo 2020).
“I think he needs to take one day at a time, and he needs to understand his goals and don’t lose track of them; and stay the course.
“Four years is a long time, and it’s a short time. Next year he has the World Championships, and the spotlight is going to be on him. So he’s going to have to deal with that.
“Then you have the Asian Games in 2018, and the Commonwealth Games. And if he doesn’t do well, he’s going to be scrutinised, and how’s he going to deal with that.
“He’s a gifted kid, and he works very hard, and he hates to lose too. He’s learnt to believe that he belongs there, and that’s a big step.
“He’s still a puppy, and I think he could improve his strength and that would come with age.”
Lopez will be returning to a new job at Auburn University in Alabama, as Associate Head Coach. Asked if he would like to have Quah joining him there, he said: “I wish … but it’s not my decision. It’s his life.
“If he has the chance to come to America, and decides to continue training with me, I’d welcome him with arms open. I’m just thankful that my path has crossed with his and many others in Singapore, because I’ve learnt a lot."
As for how Singapore swimming could continue to crest new heights, Lopez said the swimmers will need to be continually exposed to a tough level of competition.
“With some of the swimmers that I’ve been able to take on race trips to the United States, they needed to see how stars like Michael Phelps handle racing multiple events, and go through the routine of warming up, race, face the media, warm down … They needed to see that, and to race against those people,” said Lopez who suggested racing in Japan as an alternative.
“The only way you can get better is by losing… and next time you get better.”