Identical twins Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen have an identical goal: Scoring a synchronized swimming medal in the Olympic pool this summer to boost the spirits of earthquake victims in their home province of Sichuan.
Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen at a synchronized swimming pre-Olympic test event in Beijing in April. [China Daily] |
The duo, China's best hope at the Olympic swimming event, say a medal will demonstrate their solidarity with, and sympathy for, people in the quake-hit area located just 100 km from their birthplace, Chengdu.
With roughly 80 days to go, Japanese coach Masayo Imura thinks they have enough time to crack it.
The strikingly attractive girls finished fourth at last year's World Championships and seized a silver medal at a recent Olympic qualifier in Beijing. Spanish world champions Gemma Mengual and Andrea Fuentes grabbed gold, while Japan's Harada Saho and Suzuki Emiko settled for bronze.
At the 'Water Cube' National Aquatics Center, the Jiang sisters showed they are capable of a breakthrough podium finish.
But to do that, they have to overcome the psychological trauma the quake has inflicted on those around them.
"Fate is against us coming into 2008, but we won't surrender," said Wenwen, the elder sister.
"Facing the worst disaster that has ever hit our hometown, we want to show our Olympic spirit and train as hard as we can to reach our Olympic goal. I think that's the best way to show our support for those who died or who were injured."
For Imura, the disaster proved a double nightmare as it recalled her painful experience of the 1995 Kobe earthquake that killed more than 5,500 people.
"I understand how they and the Chinese people feel right now because I experienced an earthquake 13 years ago in Japan," said a tearful Imura, recalling the event that devastated her training base and left several of her swimmers injured.
"We can't do more because we are not professional rescuers but I believe the disaster has given them and myself a bigger drive to prepare for the Olympics.
"I told them to pull themselves up and that any achievement they make will bring hope to the people in Sichuan. I hope their performances can inspire (victims) to keep on fighting and rebuild their homes."
The 21-year-old sisters took up swimming at the age of 9 and appear to be peaking at just the right time.
At the 2006 Doha Asian Games, they dethroned Japan to win both the pair and team titles. It was the first time that China had won a medal in the sport at such a major event. Japanese swimmers, who have won four silver medals at previous Olympic Games, had previously dominated in Asia.
In order to help Chinese swimmers reach a higher level, Imura was invited to coach the Chinese squad after the Asiad. The 57-year-old led Japan's synchronized swimming team from 1978, helping it win three gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the Asian and Olympic Games over the past 30 years.
