Dubai: Serbian swimmer Velimir Stjepanovic can't wait to return from London later this week and take some much-needed rest before setting off on his final leg of preparations for the London Olympic Games.
"I am tired, but I should be okay after some rest. I can't wait to get back home," Stjepanovic told Gulf News from London yesterday after winning gold in the 200 metres Butterfly at the British Gas Swimming Championships on Monday.
The 18-year-old Serbian, a member of Dubai-based Hamilton Aquatics, had sealed his place for London 2012 in the heats of the 200 metres Butterfly earlier during the heats with a time of 1 minute, 56.18 seconds.
This was Stjepanovic's best personal best and also the fastest time for the race during 2012. His time of 1:56.18 was a shade better than the ‘A' qualifying time of 1:56.86 laid down for a place at the 2012 London Games.
Jukic comes second
"I am delighted that I have made it to the Olympics. This is a dream come true. I need some rest now and then some serious training right up to the Olympics," Stjepanovic said from the Aquatics Centre in London.
Later on Monday, he swam in the final of the 200 metres Butterfly and was timed a bit slower at 1:56.47 — but this effort was good enough to hand him the gold medal in addition to his opening day's silver in the men's 400 metres freestyle.
Dinko Jukic of Austria also qualified after he came in second with a time of 1:56.56 and Pawel Korzeniowski of Poland was placed third in a time of 1:57.16, but missed out on a spot to London.
"There is nothing more satisfying than going to an Olympic Games. I think that this is by far my most memorable moment of my swimming career. Though I had a slower time in the final it was a much more technical race," Stjepanovic said.
The Serbian teenager swam in the 100 metres Freestyle yesterday morning and his time of 51.69 seconds was good enough to see him end in 49th position.
Selection trials
However, his teammate from Hamilton Aquatics Tiago Venancio of Portugal was 12th best with a time of 50.04 seconds to qualify to the semi-finals to be held later last night.
Stjepanovic has one more event left at the Selection Trials in London this week, the 100 metres Butterfly that is scheduled to be held tomorrow.
