- Title: Argentine canoeist trains in his girlfriend's pool to prep for 2021 Olympics
- Date: 8th June 2020
- Summary: PILAR, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA (JUNE 8, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARGENTINE WILDWATER CANOEING SLALOM RACER, SEBASTIAN ROSSI, TRAINING IN GIRLFRIEND'S SWIMMING POOL VARIOUS OF STRAPS USED TO HOLD CANOE WHILE ROSSI TRAINS ROSSI PADDLING IN POOL (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE WILDWATER CANOEING SLALOM RACER, SEBASTIAN ROSSI, SAYING: ''We thought about training in water, using a pool we are lucky to have at home, using a kayak and a paddle. We adapted some bicycle straps we had and that simulates paddling when we row upstream. We more or less managed to improvise in order to train. Although it's not optimal, it's better than nothing and we were able to simulate work in the pool.'' VARIOUS OF ROSSI TRAINING IN POOL (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE WILDWATER CANOEING SLALOM RACER, SEBASTIAN ROSSI, SAYING: ''It's a bit tedious to be in the pool day after day, compared to proper training in nature with fast water doing what I like. This sport helps you to relate to water, with rivers, so to be trapped at home in the pool, it's difficult, but I do it because it's necessary, in that sense to train in the pool.'' VARIOUS OF ROSSI TRAINING AT HOME WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS LANUS, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA (JUNE 5, 2020) (REUTERS) ARGENTINA'S TOURISM MINISTER, MATIAS LAMMENS, GREETING JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINA'S TOURISM MINISTER, MATIAS LAMMENS, SAYING: ''We are working in co-ordination with the Argentine Olympic Committee; it's going well. Today, we sent the chief of staff who authorises exceptions so that 143 athletes and their coaches are able to train. We asked all the (sport) federations to also present the relevant protocols for them to do so. But we believe it's a valid exception because we know that even if the games have been delayed until next year, it's also true that in high competition, which is what the coaches and athletes have shown, is that activity has been halted for 70 days, and it'll be hard for them to start training again and preparation for Olympic Games usually lasts from one to two years.'' PILAR, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA (JUNE 8, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ROSSI, FINALISING HIS ROUTINE AND PUTTING CANOE AWAY
- Embargoed: 22nd June 2020 21:47
- Keywords: Argentina Kayak Olympic Rossi athlete
- Location: PILAR & LANUS, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA
- City: PILAR & LANUS, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001CHIH3YF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Argentine wildwater canoeing slalom racer Sebastian Rossi has found an innovative way to continue his training amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
28-year-old Rossi trains in his girlfriend's swimming pool with his canoe strapped to a pair of palm trees while he paddles vigourously in the water.
The set-up is not ideal as he misses being out in the white water, but he says it's better than nothing.
Rossi's father was his inspiration who gave him basic kayaking lessons in a municipal swimming pool in Buenos Aires. He soon fell in love with the sport.
Trained by French coach Sebastien Perilhou since 2010, Rossi made his international debut in 2007, in Brazil's Foz Do Iguacu during the Pan American Championships. He went on to win a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Lima in 2019.
His eyes were firmly set on classifying for the postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, but his dream was dashed this year. He nevertheless remains optimistic and continues to train hard.
Argentina has reported 664 deaths from the virus with 22,794 infections.
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