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Roberts makes Cayman swimming history
- Updated: 1 August 2017
Adam Roberts at the FINA World Championships.
Adam Roberts created Cayman Islands history at the recent FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, even though he didn’t make a splash in the pool.
Roberts, a local referee, was selected by FINA, swimming’s world governing body, to be a technical officer for the international event, making him the first person from the Islands to serve in that capacity at the World Championships.
Roberts witness world records first hand and expressed what it was like to be present. “This is the first time I have been on deck for a world record and to see four in one day is lucky beyond belief. The crowd in the arena is amazing, with a real knowledge and appreciation of swimming,” he said.
“The noise when Katinka Hosszu [of Hungary] won her gold medal and [Great Britain’s Adam] Peaty twice broke the world record for 50m breaststroke, was actually painful on the ear,” Roberts added.
One aspect of this competition resonated with Roberts. “The time and effort that was devoted to making the evening sessions a ‘show’ with hosts winding up the crowd, inspirational videos, a countdown by the crowd, darkened arena with flashing lights, dry ice to bring out the finalists and the blinding white light coming on for the racing.”
He spoke about the overall experience at the Dagály Swimming Complex, which he described as superb.
“There is a tremendous sense of calm on the pool deck and everyone is devoted to their task from the referee to the basket carriers; there is so much going on behind the scene so that all is smooth on the deck,” Roberts said.
He also expressed gratitude to those who made his involvement in FINA Worlds possible. “I would like to thank my mentors, Errol Clarke and Steven Goldman, who persuaded me that this was a worthwhile use of my time, to CIASA for their support and to CI Government for giving me the time off to attend,” said Roberts, who works as a legal adviser to the Financial Reporting Authority.
Roberts has also officiated various championship meets outside of the Cayman Islands, including the 2015 Pan American Games.
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