‘TERRIBLE’ IS JUST FINE FOR HUEGILL
OLYMPIAN BACK IN THE POOL FOR PAN PAC MASTERS GAMES
IT’S a good thing friendship, not lap times, is Geoff Huegill’s motivation for the Pan Pacific Masters Games.
“Terrible,” the former Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer laughed when asked of his fitness.
Indeed, the desire to go fast has long been usurped by the camaraderie on offer at the Gold Coast event starting on Friday.
Huegill, who famously battled weight issues to return to the pool and win Commonwealth Games gold in 2010, will compete in the 50m butterfly and some relay events at the Pan Pacs.
The 39-year-old, though, isn’t fazed by performance.
“I always enjoyed it and stayed involved in swimming,” he said. “A couple of my friends were getting back into it and ... because it keeps me active (I got involved too).
“All of a sudden I’m stepping up to the Pan Pacs.
“It’s serious enough but it’s also a good opportunity to have some fun – in terms of shape it’s not my best
“I’ll never get back to the level I was in the second part of my career.
“I’m just happy if I make it to the other end of the pool.”
Huegill now works as a coach for Miami Swim Club and says he will get just as much satisfaction from seeing improvements in his “weekend warriors” at the Pan Pacs.
Huegill doesn’t see a finish line in sight in terms of his return and aims to tackle the Singapore Masters Games later in the year.