Swimmers on Olympic quest head to Abu Dhabi

After the Olympic Games, and two unprecedented training seasons, the world swimming elite will compete again at the 15th FINA World Short Course Championships (25m) 2021 in Abu Dhabi, 16-21 December. Among them, a Cayman delegation composed of four athletes with diverse strengths and experience: 22-year-old Florida State University Senior Lauren Hew; 19-year-old University of Northern Colorado Sophomore Alison Jackson; 20-year-old St Thomas University Miami student Liam Henry; and 15-year-old Cayman Prep & High School Year 11 student James Allison.

While all except James have previous Junior National team experience with the CARIFTA Swimming Championships (James was selected for the past two years’ CARIFTA teams which were cancelled due to Covid) this will also be the first senior team appearance for Liam.

Cayman’s new technical director Jacky Pellerin will lead the Cayman delegation, accompanied by Coach Darren Mew.

Mr Pellerin said: “Cayman will be represented by a small team, which I am privileged to lead – the first in my new role here in the Cayman Islands as Technical Director. I look forward to working with our swimmers and to drawing on my previous international experience both on deck and at the FINA congress where I will represent the Cayman Islands Aquatics Sports Association. Coach Darren Mew is also travelling with the team, and he too brings considerable international experience to the team.”

After a long, two, pandemic impacted years Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association is delighted to see its swimmers once again representing the Cayman Islands internationally.

Meanwhile, as James, Liam, Lauren and Ali focus on their final preparations and training, Cayman swimming looks forward to supporting its team that is in Cali as part of the Cayman Islands team at the first Junior Pan American Games. Swimmers Jillian Crooks, Jordan Crooks, Raya Embry-Brown, and Kyra Rabess; and Artistic swimmers Alexandria Owen and Abbie Carnahan are accompanied by Coaches David Pursley and Romina Giraldo.