Olympic Contender Began to Beat Asthma
by Rod Hughes
Costa Rican Olympic qualifier Mario Montoya from the San Jose suburb of Uruca began swimming young in order to conquer his asthma. But the treatment has led him to be only the fifth qualifier so far for the Costa Rican Olympic team
The 18-year-old Montoya marked up his qualifying time in the 200-meter freestyle in the Copa Latin in San Marino. He holds the 200 freestyle national record, plus one in the 50-meter backstroke. He has competed in 15 countries, including in three world championship meets.
At least he will go to China in August, if the split in the National Olympic Committee is healed by then. Jorge Nery Carvajal, the embattled president, is still holding on to his post against the majority of sports federations that have wanted him long gone since January. The jury is still out.