For the second straight Summer Olympics, a Whitby resident will be competing in swimming.
But when the inevitable comparisons are made, similarities between 1984 triple medalist Anne Ottenbrite and 1988 hopeful Lori Melien end at their drive and dedication.
Otherwise they’re different personalities, says the one who knows both quite well – Coach Paul Meronen.
When Lori Melien was 10, she moved to Whitby from Brampton with her parents.
She was a good swimmer at the time, so her parents began looking for a coach to bring out the best in their daughter’s ability. They came across Meronen, a coach with the Ajax Aquatic Club. At the time he had Ottenbrite, a young swimmer in the club.
“I was training Anne, and at the time she was setting the swimming world on fire. So I guess that is why they chose me,” recalls Meronen, following a two hour practice session at the Dunbarton pool in Pickering last Thursday (Aug. 11). Ottenbrite would go on to win gold, silver and bronze medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Four years later, Melien has qualified for three Olympic events – the 100 and 200 metre backstroke and the 4-by-100 metre backstroke and the 4-by-100 m. relay in which she will swim the backstroke leg. She also an alternate on the 4-by 100m freestyle relay team.
Melien and other members of the Ajax club were at the Dunbarton pool last week because, the Ajax pool was closed for repairs.
Melien is now at the national swim competition in Etobicoke where she has a chance to qualify for one more Olympic event, the 50 m. freestyle, another event at which she excels.
“She has the potential, but it would be a bonus. She already has a pretty heavy load on her plate,” said Meronen.
Melien, 16, will also not be disappointed if she doesn’t qualify in the event.
“I won’t be concentrating on it. I will be concentrating on the two backstrokes,” said Melien.The Grade 11 student at Anderson C.V.I. is rubbing her knee after practice. She explained that she has a recurring knee problem that causes cramps.
“But I have enough time to get it prepared for the Games,” she notes.
Melien is currently ranked 11th in the world in the 100 m. backstroke, and 12th in the 200 m. backstroke.
So if she is to make the finals, the top eight, of either event, Meronen said she will have to establish Canadian records in both events.
The 100 m. backstroke record is one minute 3.2 seconds while the 200 record is two minutes 14.2 seconds.
At the first Olympic trials held in Montreal last May, Melien swam the 100 m. backstroke in one minute 3.84 seconds.
“If she does the national times, she will be a finalist,” said Meronen.
He noted that the Olympics will not be the highlight of Melien’s career. “After the Olympics there will be top world ranking and beyond,” he said.
Melien is also qualified to go faster after the Olympics.
“Swimmers can come back after the Olympics. If I can get my head and training focused, I can go faster.”
But for now, her head and training are focused on Seoul, South Korea, where she will compete with the finest swimmers the world has to offer. The thought makes her shake her head.
“Before a race I get excited. Then I think of the race and I’m nervous.”
Her trip to the nationals is also to give her one more taste of competition. But she admits she gets nervous even at national meets.
Melien will leave for Vancouver on Aug. 23 where she will train with the Canadian Olympics swimming team. She also becomes the responsibility of the Canadian Olympic coaches.
Meronen will be in the Soviet Union during the Olympics with another set of swimmers.“Lori has always been fast. She has a stubborn and tough streak that has brought her to this point,” said Meronen.
Of Melien and Ottenbrite, he said, “they are completely two distinct individuals in every way. Their only similarities are their dedication and push.”
Melien said she looked up to Ottenbrite when she joined the Ajax Club, but that was the extent of any relationship.
“Although subconsciously (being in the same club as Anne) may have given me a push,” says Melien, a top Academic student at Anderson despite her heavy swimming schedule.
Melien is the fifth Whitby resident competing in the Olympics, joining gymnasts Lori Strong, Christina McDonald, Larissa Lowing and judoist Glenn Beauchamp.
