One of the best experiences for sports analysts is watching competitors enthuse over their achievements.
Such feats may not necessarily mean celebratory rituals when athletes win the top place on the podium. It could simply be their expression of satisfaction after having achieved pre-set targets.
Swimming is a sport which gives vent to this feeling of self-fulfilment, although athletes may not win medals or break national records.
This sensation is evident every time a swimmer looks at the timing board at the end of the race and punches the air with joy when surpassing the intended limits.
This was a common sight at the National Pool last week during the 19th International Swim Meet organised by the ASA as numerous swimmers turned on beaming faces after they had just finished their race.
It may not have been a high-profile event but the objective for the competitors was surely a lifetime best and their elation at having succeeded in their intent was the most gratifying experience they could have.
National coach Andy Colbourn, as well as all the club coaches, know how important such a feeling is for the swimmers under their charge.
“The meet reached its objectives as many of our swimmers showed marked improvement. This is testament to their dedication and the knowledge and professionalism of coaches,” Colbourn said.
“As national coach I am extremely lucky to work with such a talented group of coaches. It makes my job so much easier. The fact that we work together to bring our sport on a par with other countries is part of the success swimming is cur-rently enjoying.”
He then referred to the coopera-tion from the coaches.
“I work closest with Gail Rizzo as at the moment it is mostly her swimmers that move on to the national team,” he said.
“She is a very talented and knowledgeable professional. We discuss swimmers, coaching and teams for upcoming events and ways to improve things,” Colbourn added.
Meanwhile, Maltese records were only the domain of the elite during the event as four junior marks were set by three familiar faces, Neil Muscat, Julian Harding and Amy Micallef, who have amassed a bewildering total of 35 category records between them.
However, just as important was that a host of other swimmers (too many to mention) have harboured endearing moments of having surpassed themselves in many races.
Yes, there was this general buzz at Tal-Qroqq last week as lanes were brimming with youngsters even in their pre-teens and stands filled with their parents and relatives urging them on.
One could also not fail to notice that occasionally tears of disap-pointment rolled down the cheeks of the odd youngster who failed to perform as expected.
A hug and a word of consolation from the coach or a companion would go some way towards raising the morale.
The human element against this background of delight, sometimes mixed with a slight touch of disappointment, completes the picture of a sport that presents challenges to a multitude of parti-cipants.
This atmosphere was very appa-rent at Tal-Qroqq last week.