That is because Phuket-based Duana Lama was part of the opening ceremony procession as just one of seven athletes representing her home country of Nepal in the French capital.
Duana will compete in the women’s 200 metre freestyle swimming, just one of two swimmers to represent Nepal, with the heat qualifiers tomorrow (July 28), the semi-finals on Monday (July 29) and the finals on Tuesday (July 30).
Duana, 18, is a student at British International School, Phuket (BISP) who began her swimming journey at the tender age of six, back in her homeland. With young Duana displaying clear natural talent in the pool, her parents were then faced with the decision to seek and select an environment more conducive for their daughter’s dual pursuits of academics and swimming. When Duana turned 12 BISP was chosen as the ideal location and she hasn’t looked back since.
The Koh Kaew located campus provided Duana with state-of-the-art facilities, including year-round training in the Olympic-sized swimming pool supported by dedicated coaches and staff - a far cry from the 18-metre hotel pool she was used to back in Nepal.
Furthermore, Duana felt extra motivated by being in an environment that is renowned for fostering both academic and athletic excellence. “Easy access to facilities has been great, and it’s nice being surrounded by similar people trying to achieve not just their academic goals but their athletic goals too,” Duana explained. The supportive boarding community and specialised support services have also played a crucial role in her development, Duana said, helping her balance training schedules with her academic responsibilities.
MENTAL RESILIENCE
Duana’s journey was not always plain sailing and her transition to BISP had its hurdles. Stepping into a multicultural environment and adapting to a new curriculum posed initial challenges. However, although Duana swiftly found her footing, both academically and athletically and was soon flourishing in and out of the pool.
Duana’s transition from practising in an 18-metre hotel pool in Nepal to training in BISP’s Olympic-sized swimming pool marked a significant turning point in her athletic journey. “In Nepal, pools shut down in the winter,” she explains. “Now I have access to both short-course and long-course facilities, depending on the meet I am preparing for... Plus, being in Thailand meant I could continue competing within Southeast Asia.”
Duana credits her coaches for their unwavering support and commitment to her development as an athlete. In a sport where mental resilience is as crucial as physical ability, having female coaches who understand the unique challenges faced by female athletes has been a game-changer. “They’ve been exceptionally supportive and good to have around,” she says.
Navigating the demands of rigorous training schedules alongside academic responsibilities is no easy feat. Yet, as a student-athlete living on campus, Duana has found a rhythm that works for her. Early morning training sessions at 5am are followed by a full day of International Baccalaureate (IB) classes and further swim sessions in the afternoon. In addition to her passion for swimming, Duana is exploring avenues in animal conservation and art.
While Duana has represented Nepal at the world championships in Budapest, Peru, Japan and Doha, the Olympics is the pinnacle for any athlete. While Paris is her immediate focus, Duana has already set her sights on competing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, while potentially pursuing higher education in the United States.
She may have already come a long way but there is still much ahead for Duana who will have her own enthusiastic fan club cheering her on from Phuket as she takes to the pool on the biggest stage of all in the French capital.