Emmanuel College Swimmer In Rio for Olympics

A collegiate swimmer from northeast Georgia will go for the gold in Brazil this month.

Emmanuel College men’s swimming freshmen Alex Sobers from Bridgetown, Barbados will represent his home country of Barbados in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

The incoming freshmen will compete in the men’s 400 meter freestyle during the Rio games, which start tonight with the Opening Ceremonies and run through August 21.

After recording the top time among Barbadian male swimmers during the Olympic qualification period from March 1 to July 3, Sobers officially qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5-21, the Barbados Olympic Association announced.

Emmanuel College Head Swimming Coach Allen Gilchrest said that the school and team are so excited for Sobers and his family.

Gilchrest called representing his country in the Olympics a dream come true for Sobers and a blessing, adding that the entire Emmanuel swim team will be cheering him on from Georgia.

Swimming at the Olympics will take place from Saturday, August 6 through Saturday, Aug. 13 with preliminary events in the afternoon and the finals running at night.