10th Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), Mauritius July 19-28, 2019 |19 July 2019
Coach Vardin with two of the special athletes during a training session yesterday
Athletics
Good team spirit in Seychelles camp
The team spirit is very high and all the athletes are well aware of their tasks and objectives ahead, athletics coach for sprints and hurdles Giovanni Fanny has confirmed.
Team Seychelles, including the special athletes, had their first training session yesterday morning at the Maryse Justin stadium in Réduit and it was obvious that all the athletes have one common thing in mind which is to win the highest number of medals possible for the country.
Coach Fanny noted that their preparations have been very good, especially with the two training camps, namely in South Africa and Kenya and for now they are just working on the specific details, including start and speed.
He also added that he is very confident in his athletes and already has in mind who will win medals, even though he decided not to mention any names.
Despite the absence of jumps specialist Lissa Labiche who, according to coach Fanny, was a guarantee to win a gold medal for Seychelles, the team will give a good performance.
Natacha Chetty ready to step in for Labiche
In the absence of Labiche, young high jumper Natacha Chetty will have the task of filling her shoes, a job which she said she is ready for.
“My preparations have been good and I am ready to compete,” said Chetty.
“I am very confident that I will give a good performance, but it will depend on my concentration during the competition,” added the young jumper who said her target is a gold medal.
The special athletes are going for gold
Also in training at the Maryse Justin stadium yesterday were the country’s special athletes under the guidance of coach Jean Vardin. The athletes are confident in themselves and ready to compete.
Coach Vardin said all the athletes are eager to compete and they are all well prepared.
“For now, we are just polishing some basic techniques, especially the start,” he added.
The athletics competition of the 10th IOIG will begin on Monday July 22 at the Germain Commarmond stadium in Bambous.
Roland Duval in Mauritius
Photos by Patrick Joubert
