From laps to lessons

Apart from the competition arena, Rainer faces a gigantean challenge in the long-running effort to balance his athletic and academic pursuits. While most of his peers are groggily hitting the snooze button, Rainer would have likely finished several laps around the training pool during his morning regime, which runs from half past five till half past seven. After a shower and donning his uniform, there would be a scramble to reach school on time for classes at eight.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Rainer harbours the ambition of representing the nation in the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

Another bout of training would kick off in the afternoon. All in all, Rainer has at least ten training sessions every week. With clockwork precision, the swimmer has his daily scheduled planned to the minute. "After afternoon training, I would go back home straight for dinner, study for close to one-and-a-half to two hours and I go to bed at 11," he states.

Rainer charts up to five major swimming meets a year, so he is grateful to his school for penning in extra lessons for sportsmen like himself who have to miss classes during competitions. He also appreciates the little gestures of care extended by his teachers. "Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, nothing registers in class due to sheer tiredness," he recalls, adding that he is thankful to his teachers who spend a little time with him after lessons to help him catch up "when I feel more rested, fresh and alert and able to absorb what is taught." And when tournament dates clash with school examination days, the school gives him the chance to "catch up with the exam papers after everyone else has taken them."

Giving 100% effort

At the start of this year, anticipating the need for intensive training in the run-up to the YOG and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Rainer's parents met up with the heads of the school. Rainer was presented with two options. "The first was to spread out my education over three years," he explains. "The second was to hold my spot in the school for a year to put 100% effort into swimming."

Worth sacrificing for - Rainer cherishes his silver medal win at the YOG.

Rainer knew that should he take the first option, his teachers would gladly help him catch up on missed lessons. But after much thought, he decided not to split his time and attention between swimming and schoolbooks. The word "average" was not something he wanted on his academic record. "The YOG is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because given my age, I won't get the chance to represent Singapore in the YOG anymore," he notes. "So I thought it'd be better to focus 100% in swimming. To do something, we should go all the way." He confesses that he would very much have liked to graduate along with his friends, but is glad that his classmates were happy to support his decision. "My friends cheer me on in pursuing my dream and I get to celebrate when they graduate," he says.

Rainer took a well-deserved week-long break after the YOG. But like a fish out of water, there was no keeping him away from the pool for too long. "After a day you might start losing the feel of being in the water, so even if it's not for training, I try to make sure I swim, otherwise I would have to train even harder to get back in shape," he shares. "I'll continue swimming competitively as long as I can."

Now, he has resumed a gruelling regime in the pool and gym as he prepares for the upcoming Asian Games in November. But Rainer already has his sights set on further goals, namely the chance to represent Singapore in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. "Everybody is creating their own history," he declares. "Everything is a stepping stone for me. Whatever obstacle I face, I'll keep working harder and go for my dreams."