PETALING JAYA, June 13 — Welson Sim will continue his fight for an Olympic ‘A’ time in the 1,500m freestyle at the third and the final leg of the Mare Nostrum Circuit in Barcelona despite a bout of illness.
Having qualified for the A time in the 200m and 400m freestyle events, Welson’s bid to make the cut for the 1,500m freestyle was dashed in the second leg of the Circuit inCanet-en-Roussillon, France after he felt weak and had sore throat.
“It’s not the fever or flu, I’m just too tired and too weak to swim because of the travelling and my throat hurts. But I’m feeling better now and will compete in the 1,500m freestyle to fight for the Olympic A time.
“Due to my condition, I will only compete in the 1,500m and scrap the 200m freestyle in the third leg,” said the Sarawakian, who finished seventh in the 400m freestyle on Saturday.
Welson has already notched his B time (15:35.63s) in the 1,500m at the Malaysian Open last month.
The A time holders get their direct entry to Rio while the B holders will need to wait for the final list release by the International Swimming Federation this month.
The 19-year-old was satisfied with his overall Europe outing.
“I had bagged silver in the 400m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle in the first leg in Monaco last weekend, and it was an awesome experienced to make my European debut. Hopefully I can do well in the final leg.”
Phee Jinq En finished seventh in the 50m breaststroke.
“I am just tired and am looking to do better in the 100m breaststroke,” she said.
In the first leg in Monaco, Jinq En became the first Malaysian gold medallist at the Europe meet by winning the 50m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke.
Welson took silver in the 400m freestyle and bronze in 200m freestyle.
The Mare Nostrum Circuit is the last Olympic qualifiers before the Rio Games commences from Aug 5 to 21.
