Beijing still in sight

MARELLYN LIEW

THE door is still open for Marellyn Liew and Foo Jian Beng to make the Olympics -- at the Telstra World Cup in Sydney, Australia -- which is their final chance.

FOO JIAN BENG

The duo left yesterday with the hopes of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) that they qualify and make it the biggest swimming team ever for the country.

ASUM secretary Edwin Chong said 17-year-old Marellyn, is within striking distance of a berth in the 100m butterfly and stands a good chance of making it in Sydney.

"The pool there is reputed to be a fast pool, so there is hope for Marellyn. She too is very determined to make it," said Chong.

"For Jian Beng, he has to beat his personal best in order to qualify."
Jian Beng's national records in the 50m and 100m freestyle are his personal bests and both are within 0.01s of the qualifying marks.

Marellyn will have her third shot at making the cut, after coming close in the Malaysian Open in May and in the Singapore Open last month.

Her latest improvement of the 100m butterfly national mark was set in the Singapore Open where Marellyn clocked 1:01.56s.

Malaysia already have Daniel Bego, Siow Yi Ting, Khoo Cai Lin and Leung Chii Lin booked for the flight to Beijing.

NST