Reflections on Competing at the World Aquatic Championships 2019 in Swimming in Gwangju, South Korea

This summer I represented St.Kitts & Nevis at the 2019 World Aquatic Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. This was the first time that a swimmer was representing the country of St.Kitts & Nevis. It was a wonderful experience and gave St.Kitts & Nevis the opportunity to learn more about the process of going to international competitions. Many athletes were interested to learn more about the Caribbean country and were surprised to learn that both islands do not have a local competitive swimming pool. The country wishes to get a swimming pool so that it can further develop aquatics programs on island.

Here is an interview that I did while at the athletes’ village that was written by We Jin Mun-Ji:

“ First swimmer from Saint Kitts & Nevis hopes to make a splash

For the first time in FINA history, an athlete representing the island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has joined the world championships as a swimmer.

As a first-time competitor at the world championships, 27-year-old-swimmer Jennifer Harding-Marlin says her main goal is not necessarily to win medals but to raise the visibility of Saint Kitts and Nevis on the international stage and promote swimming to people back home. “We don’t have a swimming pool on either Saint Kitts or Nevis, not even a 25-meter swimming pool.” said Harding-Marlin in an interview Friday. “But we’d like to have a pool and we’re trying to push [for one]. That’s one of the reasons I’m here — because I’d like St. Kitts and Nevis to get a swimming pool and to start swimming programs because there’s a lot of drownings on islands. I’d really like to teach kids how to swim.”

Harding-Marlin hopes her presence in the world championships will help boost recognition that the small country does have athletes that are capable of competing on an international scale, and raise attention to the fact that it needs assistance in building training facilities for swimmers.

Originally from Canada, Harding-Marlin has a Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship since 2015. She is also an attorney specializing in the citizenship by investment program. She operates her own law firm on the island.

Having come to Gwangju with her mother and coach Lynn Harding, Harding-Marlin will be competing in the women’s 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke events.

“I’m trying to focus on what I’m doing, not necessarily compare myself to other athletes from other countries.” She added with a laugh, “I don’t expect to win.”

Her personal best is to complete the 50 meter backstroke in about 30 seconds and the 100-meter freestyle in under one minute.

Although she hasn’t done enough training to swim at seriously competitive speeds, Harding-Marlin says she hopes to get a universality invite as the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis for the Tokyo Olympics next year.

The principle of universal representation is a qualification system that allows for athletes and teams that wouldn’t have otherwise qualified to compete at the Olympic Games. Spots are allocated on a continental basis.

When asked how she feels about representing her second home instead of Canada, Harding-Marlin shrugged, saying “I’ve lived for the past five years in Saint Kitts and Nevis, so I do really feel attached to Saint Kitts and Nevis.”

Harding-Marlin explained that as a person who has traveled to more than 60 countries, she feels like she is a global citizen. “You’re not bound by the boundaries of where you’re from and I’m encouraging Canadian athletes just like I’m happy for athletes from other countries.”

Although her mother lives in Canada, Harding-Marlin says she has been a great coach. Lynn Harding used to be a gymnast. “She does an online program for me and we talk on a daily basis to follow my journey,” said Harding-Marlin. “Sometimes it’s tough, but my mom knows me so well we can work together to try to be the best that I can be.” “Although she can be tough, she’s very understanding” added Harding-Marlin

“I’m very proud of her” said Lynn Harding. When asked what advice she gave to her daughter, she said “Just do your best, There’s no pressure.”

Harding-Marlin stressed that her primary goal in Gwangju is to inspire athletes back home. “Inspiring athletes back home to get into swimming and start the whole process behind going to competitions and competing. Bringing all that knowledge home and trying to build a program from there is my goal for the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships.”

I am excited to continue to represent St.Kitts & Nevis at international swimming competitions and bring attention to the development of aquatics programs locally.

Jennifer Harding-Marlin / jennifer@jhmarlin.com / jhmarlin.com