JAYAPURA - Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainuddin Amali gave appreciation to the athletes who managed to break the record at the National Sports Week XX 2021 in Papua.
Amali said after watching the final round of the Men's and Women's Breaststroke Swimming 200 Meters at the Aquatic pool, Lukas Enembe Stadium, Jayapura.
"It's incredible the spirit of the athletes in the midst of a pandemic situation but there is still record-breaking," he said.
According to him, if in normal situations, the record-breaking is common. But now in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, a record-breaking is certainly an extraordinary thing.
"There is still a record-breaking pandemic situation. It means that the desire of athletes to achieve is extraordinary," said Amali.
As is known, during the Covid-19 pandemic period of approximately two years, training activities by athletes are restricted. The national agenda is even eliminated. Of course, it has an effect on the preparation of athletes in facing National Sports Week XX of Papua.
Meanwhile, questioning the facilities of aquatic venues after the event, the Minister of Youth and Sports asked the Papua regional government to remain functional.
"There must be activities, national sport event here, so that this facility is utilized. This great venue can be a life for Papua. Especially being able to score incredible talent from this land," said Minister of Youth and Sports.
The record breaking for men's 200 meters breaststroke swimming was achieved by DKI Jakarta swimmer Gagarin Nathaniel Yus with a record time of 2 minutes 17.81 seconds.
This time is longer than the national record, he still holds which is 2 minutes 15.36 seconds.
While the new record of breaststroke 200 meters women was Ressa Kania Dewi from East Java with a record time of 2 minutes 33.97 seconds. ***