Olympic Swimming

The African Games are still going on so this morning we decided to jump in the car and head out to the complex near Zimpeto, a suburb outside of the main Maputo city where a new stadium and olympic size swimming pool have been built. We wanted to see the swimming since neither of us had ever witnessed such an event other than on tv and had never been to a pool of such caliber. We drove about 30 minutes through traffic on the new improved road with new stoplights, new median, drainage ditches and turning lanes. The traffic seemed to go a bit smoother then in the past with the new improvements but the city still needs to take other measures to manage the traffic.

The stadium was quite impressive and glorious when considering the context. It is situated right next to an informal market a km away and neighborhood which consists of mainly tin roofed, cement block homes. It would be considered slums in most parts of the world but here it is more like middle class. 

We entered into the most beautiful pool arena I have ever been into with cristal clear water, electronic equipment and everything that is needed for an olympic style event. As we walked up the stairs a huge window frames the new stadium in all its glory, obviously a well planned visual. We made our way to the seating area. The first heat of swimmers were the handicapped who swam 200 meter freestyle. It was a pleasure to witness such an event with persons who were missing limbs, partly paralized and blind all competing in a world class event with dignity. We then witnessed the 50 meters and 200 meter freestyle competitions. It went on for about an hour and then it was over and we left since we still wanted to do a little bit of shopping in the city before getting home for lunch. It was quite amazing to go to such an event in a country such as this but what pride it must bring to Mozambique.

Oh, the Mozambican women's basketball team lost yesterday in the semi-finals. But hats off to them. They looked like they could compete with some of the world's best and certainly the best in Africa. Congradulations!