Egyptian swimmer Farida Osman learned that she would make an Olympic appearance few days before the 2012 London Games got underway.

The promising Osman achieved an Olympic Standard Time last April in Holland that put her on a standby invitation list until she was given the green light to take part in the Games by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).

The 17-year-old, who won the 50m butterfly gold medal at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championship in Peru last year in a record time of 26.69, will contest the 50m freestyle.

''Playing at the Olympics is a dream come true," Osman told Al-Ahram.

''Despite my young age (17 years), I am determined to produce a fine performance at the Olympics.”

The Egyptian swimmer admitted to the difficulty of her mission at the Olympics but said she is looking forward to gaining some necessary experience to approach the 2016 Games in Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro in the best possible way.

''I am very realistic. Swimming is a sport of records. I know very well that it will be very difficult to win a medal at London. My goal will be to reach the semi-finals, but at the next Olympics in 2016 I promise to win a medal," she added.

Farida, who is the youngest athlete in Egypt’s Olympic delegation, produced some fine performances last year.

She won the only Egyptian gold medal in swimming at the African games before winning seven gold medals at the Arabic Games.



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