Best athletes discuss progress in sports with President Michel |22 June 2016

President James Michel yesterday met the 2015 sportsman and sportswoman of the year at State House, where they discussed various issues concerning the athletes themselves and sports development in the country.

Sailor Rodney Govinden and high jumper Lissa Labiche were received by the president yesterday morning, after both athletes were finally in the country at the same time, since they have both been busy since the start of the year as they prepare for the 2016 Olympics Games.

“The president talked to us about various topics and asked us about our aspirations and training, while he also congratulated us on winning the sportsman and sportswoman of the year awards,” said Govinden.

Govinden, who sails in the Laser Standard class, booked his ticket to Rio late last year and has been busy training in preparation for the Games. In fact, Govinden arrived in the country only recently, after spending four months in Malta.

“Things have been going well so far and in Malta I competed in a few competitions as well and my aim is to now focus on my preparation for the Games in Rio,” he said.

Govinden added that among all the 46 sailors that he will be going up against in Rio, his aim is to finish among the top 30.

As for Lissa Labiche, she said her desire is to finally book her place at the Rio Olympics, when she competes in South Africa this coming weekend.

“I am actually leaving the country tomorrow and since this is my last chance to qualify, I will be giving my all to seal my place for the Games,” said Labiche.

Labiche was largely expected to qualify for the Games since the start of year and with her personal best being a leap of 1.92m, she should be able to reach the minimum qualification height of 1.93m this weekend, which would make her the sixth Seychellois athlete to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games.

“If I don’t qualify now, I will not have any other chances as qualifications close on July 4. In that case I will have to hope the International Olympic Committee (IOC) invites me as wildcard due to my Olympic scholarship, but I will be going all out to qualify this weekend,” she added.