National Pioneer's Champ (LC) 2000

Yugoslav Swimming Federation
PIONEER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2000 (LC)

Pancevo, Yugoslavia, July 15, 2000

All our activities last two months were focused to the central Yugoslav Pioneer Championship. It was organized in the town of Pancevo on July 15, 2000 upon the authority of Yugoslav Swimming Federation and 'Dinamo' swimming club. Over 130 participants from 25 clubs took part in the event. As we had sent the entries for our three athletes (Deuric, Jovanovic, Rasula), regrettably here definitely appeared only Mr. Igor Rasula, our captain. Our two representatives have got the flue the day before the champ started. The reason was extremely cold weather. In 24 hours temperature has gone down for up to 22 deg.C. On the day of the Championship air temp. was 17 deg.C and water temp. 20 deg.C. the rain has been falling almost whole day. The inhuman conditions for swimming, cold day and rainy weather have caused the gaunt results. Many competitors flinched from their races. Our representative was brilliance, especially in 200 m freestyle, with his new time 2:22,48 (best in LC this year). Unfortunately in 400 m freestyle (5:00,60) although it wasn't his best time, he lost bronze medal just for 0.80 sec.

	Igor Rasula in the ceremony of introducing the competitors prior to 200 m freestyle race. In that moment sky became deep dark and hard rain started. Nobody were thinking about the good times. The essence was to swim like it's all normal. But the temperature of the water in the pool was only 20 deg.C (horror). Igor's time at the end was 2:22,48
	Start of 200 m backstroke. Igor Rasula (Line 1).
	We all thanks to our best swimmer and all his sport efforts prior to this Yugoslav Championships.. His love for swimming is unbelievable, and tha's positive for young athletes in the Club. His strong will and stable character are the safe signs that his swim future is certain. As Igor was born like a lion (in horoscope) his life will be spent in struggle, but always with the full successes (Milja Regulus, July, 1999.)
	Although he has got the congratulations from the Presidency of our Club (Mrs. Mladenovic, Mr. Mihajlovic, Mrs. Rasula), Igor Rasula stayed so sad many days after. But all his fans by the pool were satisfied. On that stormy weather Igor really swam out really good and without any calculation, but he didn't have a luck in reaching the medal. The 4th place in Yugoslavia in 400 m free is fantastic present to our Club and its prosperity. A new season will bring possibilities for the next new successes. We all believe in that. So, we're still here. (Olivera Mladenovic, president)