SOME believe that a baby born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune.

For Christmas baby Khoo Cai Lin, this certainly holds true if her swimming record is taken into consideration. Her involvement in swimming started at the tender age of three when she was forced into the pool at Petaling Jaya’s Kelab Syabas by her mum Felicia Pai.

This was because her older sister Cai Lian, who had asthma, was advised to swim. Cai Lin hated the pool at first but gradually fell in love with swimming.

She naturally progressed to competitions and after winning several junior competitions, Cai Lin decided she needed a new challenge and tried her at synchronised swimming.

Cai Lin thrilled spectators with her strong and graceful performances in synchronised swimming and even represented the country in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games. But, as is consistent with her, she soon felt bored and decided to switch back to swimming.

That was a decision taken six years ago and she is now on the brink of making her Olympics debut.

“I got bored of synchronised swimming as it was not challenging. I’m a person who likes speed and synchronised swimming did not give me the adrenaline rush,” said Cai Lin.

“Swimming is more competitive and the training is much tougher. My parents supported it and I’m glad I made the switch.” A wise choice, given the fact that she loves to eat! “I love food and I don’t control my diet. I eat fried stuff and like to indulge myself in fast food all the time,” she said.

As her daily routine is entirely spent on training, she hardly has time to hang out with friends or watch movies.

“I train six times a week for five hours daily. Besides that, I work-out often and also do yoga. I’m totally tired out when the day ends. The only thing I do outside swimming nowadays is reading,” she said.

On her personal goal at the Beijing Games, she said she hopes to break the 400m and 800m national freestyle records.

» FACT FILE
KHOO CAI LIN

■ Date of birth: Dec 25, 1988
■ Hometown: Petaling Jaya
■ Height: 166cm

■ Weight: 53kg
■ Coach: Paul Thomas Birmingham
■ Likes: Food, sleeping, reading
■ Dislikes: Heights
■ Favourite movie: Action
■ Favourite food: Japanese, Chinese and Western food
■ Favourite actor/actress: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
■ Career high: Winning two gold medals in the 2007 Korat Sea Games and named the 2007 Woman Olympian of the Year
■ Career low: Failing to win medals in the 2005 Manila Sea Games
■ Previous Olympic appearances: Debutante
■ Beijing events: 400m, 800m freestyle
■ Competition dates: Aug 9-21