The Hindu : Sport / World View : Correia makes history

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Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

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Sport - World View

Correia makes history

LONG BEACH: Maritza Correia didn't have to win to make history.

With a fourth-place finish in the 100-metres freestyle, she became the first black woman to qualify for the United States Olympic swim team.

``I'm amazed, I'm shocked, I'm happy,'' said Correia, who now has a chance to be part of the 400 free relay in Athens. ``It's a great honour. I hope I'm one of many.''

Correia's finish on Monday in the U.S. swim trials allowed her to join Anthony Ervin as the only blacks to make a U.S. Olympic swim team. Correia wants to be a role model for minorities, hoping her success will open up the mostly white sport.

``I don't think it's the main focus, but if I can use it to my advantage, I will,'' she said. ``It's really hard for minorities to get the facilities. It's a very expensive sport. My goal is to get more pools built.''

Her vision is shared by Olympic teammate Lenny Krayzelburg, a triple gold medallist at Sydney. He has his own foundation that hopes to bring the sport to more inner-city children.

``Let's face it — swimming is a middle- and upper-class sport,'' he said. ``You have to practice five hours a day. When you're 12 years old, you don't have a car. You've got to have someone who can drive you to practice, pick you up, maybe wait around all day.

``Your family has to have some financial flexibility so you can do it.''

Correia competed in three events at the 2000 trials, but didn't come close to making the team. Since then, she's progressed steadily winning relay medals at the World championships last year and in 2001, and five U.S. college titles at the University of Georgia.

— AP

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