Anum Bandey and Israr Hussain: Pakistan's designated swimmers at the London 2012 Olympic Games - Photo courtesy Pakistan Swimming Federation
Anum Bandey and Israr Hussain: Pakistan's designated swimmers at the London 2012 Olympic Games - Photo courtesy Pakistan Swimming Federation

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to make waves in the Olympic pool after two of its swimmers received confirmation to participate in the Olympic Games, according to a statement released by the Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) on Friday.

The international body for aquatic sports, FINA, has selected Anum Bandey and Israr Hussain of Pakistan on the basis of their performance in the 14th FINA World Championships, held in Shanghai last year. The allotment has been made on the ‘Universality Places,’ berths reserved for countries whose athletes are unable to qualify for the Games.

Husain, who clocked 57.69 seconds in Shanghai, will participate in the 100-metre freestyle heats. Bandey, who set a new national record at 5 minutes and 37.11 seconds, will feature in the 400-metre individual medley at the London Games.

Bandey will look to improve on the performance of her predecessor Kiran Khan, who represented Pakistan at the Games in Beijing in 2008. She will be the third Pakistani female swimmer to make waves at the Games after Khan and Rubab Raza, who made Olympic history for Pakistan by becoming the country’s first female Olympic swimmer at Athens in 2004.

Hussain was named the best male athlete at last year’s National Swimming Championship in Islamabad.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...