A step closer to Pickett’s Olympic dream

Michael Pickett (right) after coming second in the men's 50m freestyle at the AON Swimming NZ National Open Swimming Championships earlier this year. Picture by Simon Watts/www.bwmedia.co.nz

SWIMMING

THE fastest 15-year-old freestyle sprinter in New Zealand history has the clock on his mind as he counts down to the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Brazil.

Gisborne’s Michael Pickett is part of a four-strong New Zealand swimming squad confirmed for the Games at Buenos Aires from October 6 to 18.

Now schooling at St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane and training under Kiwi coach John Gatfield at the prestigious St Peter’s Western club, Pickett will compete in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle races.

The former Enterprise Cars Swim Team member’s goals are to qualify for both finals, break 50 seconds for the first time in the 100m and go under 23 seconds in the 50. He holds multiple New Zealand age group records in both distances — 23.08 in the 50 and 50.61 in 100 in the 15yrs age bracket.

The two records were set at the New Zealand open championships in Auckland in July, Pickett placing second to 24-year-old Howick Pakuranga swimmer Daniel Hunter in both finals.

Pickett, son of Gisborne’s Fletcher Pickett and Anna McVey, was rapt to be getting the opportunity to join the 4000 young athletes from 206 countries, competing in 31 sports at the Games.

One of his loves of swimming is meeting new people and connecting with people from different areas and backgrounds.

The Games, for athletes aged 14 to 18, mix the competitive aspect with education and culture, aimed at fostering the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.

“This selection is awesome news and gives me real confidence for my future,” said Pickett.

“The competition’s going to be a great stepping stone for the end goal of competing at an Olympic Games.”

Meanwhile, Pickett has another international experience before then — the Junior Pan Pacifics in Fiji later this month.

A Givealittle Page, titled Michael Pickett 2020, has been created to help him towards his ultimate Olympics goal.