Al Bitar in Top 10

Manama 

 In Bahrain’s first foray into ITU elite competition, Sameera Al Bitar finished in the top ten in the ITU Grand Final elite women’s aquathlon in Chicago, US on Wednesday and was the only athlete from the Middle East to crack the top ten.

The next day she followed up by finishing 13th overall at the age group sprint race, where she led out of the water.

A two-time Olympic swimmer for Bahrain, Al Bitar ventured into triathlon with the Bahrain Triathlon Association’s (BTA) high performance developmental team. Funded in part by the Bahrain Endurance Team, the BTA athletes have been given new bicycles and opportunities to join training camps alongside other elite athletes.

She trained with the Alameda ON Development Team in Egypt with coach Michelle Dillon prior to competing in Chicago.

Of her first training camp experience, she says, "It was the first time I ever trained three times a day, and as much as BTA coach Vicent [Beltran] spoke about the preparations it took to become a professional athlete, it was only when I attended this camp did I realize what it takes to reach the top."

Coach Dillon says, "It’s very rewarding to see the progression we have made in just two weeks. It’s just the beginning and I know we can make much more progression, once the athletes get the right structure and consistency in their programmes."

After a fine performance in the aquathlon, Al Bitar is working on her cycling and running. She says, "My goal for the next year is to really focus on my bike skills and run technique as well as competing regularly to learn and gain experience out of each race." She will next compete in the age group sprint triathlon in Chicago, followed by a competition in Korea in two weeks’ time as well as a few local and regional races.

Al Bitar dreams one day to represent Bahrain in the Olympics in the Triathlon event, "Seeing what the Bahrain Endurance Team has achieved so far with all the great results inspires me to try to reach that level one day and future plans of the team and coming to Bahrain to do camps would be a huge benefit for us to learn from their experiences and journeys on where they are today."

Bahrain Endurance team manager Chris McCormack agrees. He says, "It is exposure to the world’s best, clear pathways and funding that will see Bahrain athletes winning world titles over the next few years."