Local swimmers Gavin Schinkelshoek and Payton Rinas are preparing for an experience of a lifetime, and high-quality competition, when they head to South Korea in early July.
Rinas, from Chatham, and Schinkelshoek, of Pain Court will compete in the International Children’s Games being held in Daegu, South Korea from July 5-10.
The International Children’s Games is an annual event that pursues the goal of forming nation-linking friendships through sports competitions with athletes between the ages of 12 and 15.
It’s recognized by the International Olympic Committee and was first held in Celje, Slovenia in 1968. Since then, many cities around the world have organized the Games, including Windsor in 2013.
Both Schinkelshoek and Rinas will travel to South Korea several days ahead of the competition to continue their training, while trying to acclimate themselves to the 12-hour time difference, as well as their new surroundings. They will stay with their teammates and hundreds of other athletes from across the world at the athlete’s village for the duration of the Games, and both will swim in four individual events and two relays over the course of the competition.
