By eve sonary heng onSports
Oesting (seated, third left) in a photo call with the coaches from Kuching, Miri and Sibu swimming clubs. Also seen is PASC founder Voon Yong Hui (seated, second left).
KUCHING (April 13): Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) technical director Megan Oesting has expressed concern about the growing pressure on young swimmers to achieve early success, warning that such short-sighted approach may jeopardise the long-term development of future champions.
Oesting highlighted that the emphasis on early victories, especially for swimmers aged eight to 13, is more common across Asian countries, including Malaysia, than in the US.
“The goal should be on having fun, enjoying the sport, making friends, and enjoying the process,” she said when met during her visit to Kuching for a three-day swimming training camp hosted by Power Aquatics Swimming Club (PASC) in collaboration with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC).
Oesting stressed that children aged eight to 13 are not yet psychologically equipped to handle the high demands of elite-level competition.
“When you put that kind of pressure on eight, nine to 13-year-olds, their brains are not ready for that,” she explained.
“When we’re not setting the foundations emotionally for their development, by the time they’re ready for elite swimming, they’re too stressed, too pressured, they can’t think for themselves, or they break under pressure later – or quit the sport entirely,” she added.
The camp, held from April 11 to 13 brought together invited swimmers, coaches, and parents for a blend of training and educational sessions.
Oesting sharing her knowledge with swimmers during the training camp.
Oesting, 52, who joined Malaysia Aquatics in 2024, brings decades of coaching experience from top US programmes such as the University of California, SwimMAC Carolina, and Oregon-based Bend Swim Club.
A former US national swimmer and Pan American Games medallist, she is currently spearheading Malaysia’s long-term athlete development blueprint.
Oesting also addressed growing global debate on the inclusion of the 50m backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly in the Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has approved the addition of these events for men and women.
This expansion comes exactly 40 years after the 50m freestyle was first included in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
“There’s concern that the sport could become too focused on pure sprinting, possibly at the expense of middle-distance and long-distance swimmers,” she said.
“Swimmers might be pushed too early into training solely for short distances, which could stunt their long-term development,” she warned, adding that peak performance for 50m stroke events typically occurs in the late 20s.
“If an eight-year-old focuses only on the 50m of any stroke, they won’t make it to the peak level of that event,” Oesting noted.
Malaysia will remain focused on developing swimmers in high-capacity events such as the 200m backstroke, 400m freestyle, and 400m individual medley (IM).
She emphasised that Malaysia’s talent identification and training strategies must focus on building capacity through longer events.
“We’re going to continue to draw from our 200m backstrokers, 200m breaststrokers, 400m free(stylers), 400 IM (swimmers) and all those mid- and long-distance events, so they can then build power inside of that capacity.
“If we change our long-term athletic development plan and we don’t develop that capacity, there’s nothing to fill,” she cautioned.
Oesting sharing her knowledge with swimmers during the training camp.
Still, Oesting remains optimistic. “If we do it right, I foresee Malaysia producing specialists in the 50m events and (excelling) across all events. But we must follow the fundamentals of long-term athlete development.”
Throughout her experience at the training camp here, Oesting emphasised the importance of mindfulness in training, stressing that quality, not volume, is the foundation of enduring performance.
“Quality isn’t just swimming more laps; it’s about building motor control, awareness, and intention,” she said.
“The young swimmers are fast learners. They are well-educated, they understand and they’re trying new things…they’re moving through activities and exercises really mindfully, so there’s a lot of learning going on,” she added.
“I saw the swimmers here transform right in front of me. They were engaged, learning fast, and very mindful. It was exciting to witness,” she said.
She also commended Sarawak’s coaches for their openness and creativity.
“The coaches here are motivated, innovative, and collaborative. Their willingness to explore new ideas is not something you always see. That will be a key strength moving forward. I commend them for that,” she said.
malaysia aquatics Megan Oesting pressure young swimmers
