By GARY LEMKE in Swakopmund
Every international swimmer has to start somewhere – and Team SA Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist, Youth Olympic gold medallist and African champion Michael Houlie has a message for those taking to the water at the Region 5 Games in Namibia. “If you dream big and see these Games as a stepping stone, there’s so much power in that.”
The 25-year-old has been one of South Africa’s ambassadors on the global stage for a number of years, but he points to his first Region 5 Games experience as to where it all started for him.
“I was very fortunate to have represented Team SA twice at the Region 5 Games. The first came in 2016 in Luanda, Angola, when I was a 16-year-old. It came early in my swimming career and everything in the sport was fresh and new to me. I sure didn’t know that it would lead me to where I am today!” Houlie said in a message of support to the 18 teenage swimmers who will be in action at Swakopmund’s The Dome from Saturday.
“If I can offer advice, it’s to find memories. I’m still in contact with a lot of people from the Region 5 Games and I’m still on a regular WhatsApp group chat with the boys that I roomed with in Angola. These Games go beyond swimming. Make connections and long-lasting friendships.
“A lot of the swimmers will be in this environment for the first time, representing South Africa for the first time. When I was 18 I attended my second such Games after winning gold in the 50m breaststroke at the Youth Olympics. After that I went to events like the world champs, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. These Games hold a lot of power.”
Houlie also encourages the Team SA swimmers, of which there are 18 in Namibia, to “enjoy the moment” He said, “this is still a youth event and a lot of the squad are juniors. When you get to 19 or 20 you transition to the seniors. Right now there’s a lot more fun and the pressure is mot as intense. Many of the squad will still be at school. Have fun, immerse yourself in the team and the dream and this experience will help navigate what happens in the future.”