Ryan Pini will mark his fourth Olympic Games appearance this Thursday, when he plunges into the pool with some of the sports greatest in the form American icon Michael Phelps and South Africa’s Chad le Clos.
Pini will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly, the same event that landed him his first gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006.
Although humbled in what could be his final appearance for PNG in the Olympics, Pini has just one goal in mind; to give his best for his country when he dives into the water against the world’s best at the Aquatic Centre on Thursday.
Pini went through some regular training earlier this morning with his coach Rob Van Der Zant.
The most decorated athlete in Olympic history, Michael Phelps now has a record 23 career medals and counting and will be Pini’s strongest opponent.
Another big name, South African swimmer and Olympic silver medalist in 200m freestyle Chad le Clos and Frenchman Jérémy Stravius also an Olympic Silver medalist in 4x100m freestyle relay are amongst his other challengers.
Ryan’s 100m butterfly heat will be on Friday morning at 3:15 am PNG time and will be telecast live on EMTV.
