Paris Olympics: Siobhan Haughey’s secret weapon could be men’s swimmer she races in training as Estonian moves to ‘cheaper’ Hong Kong
- Kregor Zirk, fifth in 200 metres butterfly at World Championships, had to pay €100 an hour to use pool in Estonia, so relocated to Hong Kong
- He believes working together at Hong Kong Sports Institute is giving Haughey ‘a little spark’ in her Paris medal hunt
Siobhan Haughey is getting an extra push towards the Olympics, courtesy of an Estonian swimmer who believes he can help power her to glory in Paris.
Kregor Zirk relocated to Hong Kong in search of better and cheaper facilities than he could access at home, and he said setting up camp at Hong Kong Sports Institute, beside the city’s great Olympic hope Haughey, had proved just the ticket.
He is pushing Haughey “as hard as I can”, and the benefit is mutual, with their respective events allowing them to pace each other in the pool in Fo Tan.
“I know some countries don’t like to invite foreign athletes to their facilities, but rivalry creates good training,” Zirk said. “The times for my 200 metres butterfly and Siobhan’s 200 metres freestyle are similar, so we race each other.”
He added: “She is very excited that I have a kid, and always wants to see pictures. I think it has given her a little spark. She is training really well, and looking good.”
