Bastian, Evans ready for Olympics

Junior swimming sensation Izaak Bastian will be the first Bahamian competitor in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan. Bastian and Joanna Evans are the only swimmers participating for The Bahamas and are up first beginning tomorrow. That race starts at 7.30 a.m. local time in The Bahamas

Bastian kicks off the action in the 100 meters (m) breaststroke tomorrow. He will be swimming out of lane eight in the third heat. The 19-year-old has the national record in that event with a time of 1:00.87. He spoke about being the first Bahamian to be in action in this edition of the Olympic Games.

“All I can do is be positive and no matter the outcome of the race, people will look towards your attitude rather than just the time. Whether it is what I want it to be or not, I think just being positive and bringing a good energy for everybody else. I don’t want to bring anybody down especially at a big meet like this. The team is much bigger than myself and setting the tone will be no matter what happens I will try my best and be positive about it. Whatever happens is a great experience regardless,” Bastian said.

He added: “I am looking forward to the 100m the most. I started favoring the 100m more than the 200m, but I am still decent in the 200m. I favor it more because I am a little afraid of the 200m a little more. It is also more exciting because you have to be more on it than the 200m because you have time to come back in the 200m. In the 100m you have to be out there with everybody and just hold on.”

They both arrived in Tokyo on Sunday and are now settled in. They have been practicing and fixing last minute aspects of their races before tomorrow.

“It took us a couple days to adjust to the time change but we seem to have a handle on it now,” Evans said.

For Bastian, the biggest adjustment was the sun rising at 4.30 a.m. but he has learnt to handle it now.

“I think I am settling in pretty well since then. It is a little bit challenging with the sun. It rises at 4.30 a.m. here so if your blinds aren’t closed all the way properly then the sun sneaks in at like 4.30/4.45 a.m. and lights up the whole room. I have been trying to adjust to that a little bit more but other than that I think I am settling in well,” Bastian said.

Evans who is swimming in her second Olympic Games – her first was 2016 Rio Olympic Games, will jump in the pool on Sunday in her favorite race, the 400m freestyle. The 23-year-old has the national record in this event of 4:07.33. She will swim out of lane five in heat two that starts at 7.12 a.m.

“I’d have to say I am looking forward to my 400m more just because that is my ‘baby’.” Evans said. “I don’t ever really try to put a number on things. I’m looking to drop time and go from there.”

She will also be swimming in the 200m free on Monday. She also holds the national record in this event of 1:58.03. The former University of Texas swimmer will swim out of lane one in heat three that gets underway at 6.09 a.m.

Bastian’s next race is Tuesday where he will be in the pool for the 200m breast. He has the national record in this race too with a time of 2:15.14. The Florida State University swimmer will swim out of lane five in the first heat for this race.

He has been on many national teams, but this is his first time being on an Olympic team. His approach to this meet has been to view it as any other meet to calm his nerves.

“I think the best way for me to approach it is to think of it like another meet. I do not want to overthink anything and get too nervous. I think trying to keep myself relaxed and think of it as another meet like I have done it before. The competition is very stiff and I have raced fast people before so I want to think of it as another meet, so I do not put pressure on myself,” Bastian said.

Evans, who loves representing The Bahamas has learnt from her 2016 experience and has been giving Bastian some pointers on his first Olympic rodeo.

“A second Olympics is very different to a first,” Evans said. “Obviously I’ve done the Olympics before but it also means that I’ve had a lot of time to grow and learn and compete. I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily told Izaak anything. I think he’s learning just from being around me. I’ve helped him realize small things like we should be practicing at the times we would be racing.”

He appreciates her experience along with some of the pointers she has given him. This national team appearance is different for him as this is the pinnacle of meets.

“She is very experienced and has a resume that speaks for itself. It has been great being on the trip with her. She is kind and have been showing me the ropes. She told me about the comparison about how it is this year and how it was in Rio in 2016 and what to expect. Evans also told me what to wear on race day and how to prepare a little bit although we all have our different way of preparation. She also told me how early to be there because of the crowd of people, so she has been helpful with her guidance and wisdom,” Bastian said.

Both athletes liked that they had an extra year to prepare so they can get stronger and faster.

The much anticipated 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games will be officially opened today.

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