GAN GETS DEBUT AT LAST

Freestyle specialist’s Olympic bow finally confirmed after selection controversy

- Deepanraj Ganesan

In an ironic twist, national swimmer Gan Ching Hwee is the one person who truly understands what Quah Ting Wen is going through in the Olympic selection storm that has engulfed both athletes.

In her first public comments on July 10 since she was picked over Quah for the women's 4x100m medley relay, Gan appeared calm when she spoke to The Straits Times but was visibly emotional and had to compose herself several times.

Despite the controversy, the 20year-old is staying focused on her task ahead. She said: "I am (feeling) okay. As an athlete, I try not to be distracted by all the things that are going on right now. My main priority right now is still focusing on preparations for the Games.

"Obviously (I have seen the media coverage), everyone has social media accounts. But I try not to be distracted by it and I channelled my focus into things that I can control."

In 2021, ahead of the Tokyo Games, Gan was in the same situation as her teammate. She went through a roller coaster of emotions from the initial excitement of making her Olympic debut to crushing disappointment, when she lost her spot to Quah after the latter's appeal.