Farida Osman: A whirlwind week for the Egyptian swimming star

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  • Last year, Farida Osman  became Egypt’s first ever junior world champion when she grabbed the gold in the 50m butterfly at the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru setting a world record in the process.

    She then followed that up with a stunning seven gold medal scoop at the Arab Games in Doha, which coincidentally earned her a $35,000 bonus cheque as the Games’ most successful female contestant. Osman however refused to take the bonus to maintain her amateur status and stay eligible for competing in the NCAA should she go to college in the United States next year.

    The 17-year-old Osman is the swimmer Egypt has been waiting for and makes her Olympic debut in the 50m freestyle event on Friday. After achieving the Olympic Standard Time, which earns you a spot based on space availability in the races, she only received a call-up for the Games last week and her life has got infinitely more exciting since then, from hanging out in the Athletes’ Village, to the stunning opening ceremony.

    Sport360°’s Reem Abulleil caught up with the teenager to find out more about life at the Village.

    How have you been spending your days in London?

    Since I got here, I’ve been trying to adjust my sleep and get used to the early wake-up calls since the swimming heats are pretty early. So I’ve been waking up at 8:00am. I have breakfast at 8:30 then go for swimming training until 11:00.

    After that I hang out in the Village with the other athletes and at night I go catch the swimming races at the Aquatic Centre. I then eat, then sleep around 23:00.

    Who do you hang out with the most in London?

    I hang out a lot with our synchro girls, since I know them well from back home and I’m rooming with the gymnasts Sherine El Zeiny and Salma El Said.

    Judging from your Twitter account, you seem to be bumping into lots of cool people, who have you met so far?

    In the opening ceremony we literally met everyone; Muhammed Ali, David Beckham, Prince William, Michelle Obama, the Queen, Usain Bolt, you name it.

    Who’s been the nicest?

    Phelps is not the nicest just because everyone wants to take a photo with him, so you have to insist if you want to take a picture with him and it has to be a group picture. Ryan Lochte is the nicest. I talked to him for five seconds after he got the gold in the 400IM. I told him ‘good job’ and he said ‘thanks’. He’s great.

    What’s been the most exciting thing about the experience so far?

    Honestly it’s meeting all the famous athletes, eating with them, riding the bus with them… You really feel like you’re one of them. Now I can’t wait for my race.

    Your trip to the Olympics was very last minute, tell me about that…

    I was in the United States with my family visiting my brother. We’d already been there for like three weeks then I got the phone call telling me I’ve made it to the Olympics. The next day I flew back and I had to get the UK visa and get everything ready.

    I practised for five days in Cairo before I flew to London but I have to say I was keeping fit during my vacation in the US, I was running every day trying to stay fit.

    So did your family manage to make the trip down with you?

    No, unfortunately I’m here alone, they didn’t get a chance to plan the trip since it was so last minute.

    Maybe they’ll surprise you and come?

    I really hope so. (30 minutes after our interview, Farida tweeted: “Parents came to LONDON #bestsurpriseever”)

    Your training is pretty intense, what kind of food do you eat to keep up and stay healthy?

    I have to say the food here at the Village is not that healthy. There’s McDonalds and stuff. Even the other food is not that healthy. But I try to be as healthy as possible by eating salads and fruits.

    In Cairo I train seven times a week, twice a day on Saturdays, two-and-a-half hours a session. My coach is Ukrainian and he organises my nutrition plans, he takes care of everything. Before competition I eat lots of proteins and carbs and after every swim you have to eat ice cream because it recovers your muscles.

    Are there any other athletes in your family? How did you get into swimming?

    My dad, my brother and my uncles are all athletes. My dad was a swimmer and water polo player. My brother was a swimmer and my uncles were tennis players. I used to go watch my brother practise when I was younger so I decided to get into it myself.

    Who was your sporting idol growing up?

    I really admire Muhammad Ali. He’s so inspirational, I really love him. I always see his coach. I’ve watched a lot of his videos. When I saw him at the opening ceremony I couldn’t believe myself.

    What do you plan on doing after you’re done with your races?

    I will stay in London for three more days and I want to do some sightseeing because it’s my first time here. They’ve given all of the athletes this card for free transportation so I can go anywhere. I haven’t decided on anything yet but maybe I can go visit Manchester for the day or something. We’ll see.

    CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, it was indicated that Farida Osman received $35,000 for being the most successful female athlete in the Arab Games. Osman was indeed offered this bonus prize money but she did not accept it to remain eligible for competing in the NCAA should she attend university in the United States next year.

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