The 2024 Olympic Games are currently taking place in Paris. Like the rest of the world, we are closely following this event and cheering for our team. Seeing the athletic, determined athletes, which parent doesn't dream of their child growing up to be a true champion and bringing glory to their country? However, these are often the unfulfilled ambitions of the parents themselves. Natalia Adaksina, a coach at the Almaty Resort sanatorium, shared with us how the journey of a champion begins.

- Professional swimming training can start at the age of 6 or 7. 
The main thing is that the child must want it themselves. When a new child is brought to me, I ask: does the child want to swim? Because the most important thing is the desire. Carefully choose the swimming school and the coach. The coach must be a former athlete, a master of sports, a graduate of a sports university. They should have many years of experience teaching legally. This is a professional specialist who knows how to communicate with children. They are patient, gently correct mistakes, praise for any success, and maintain a positive attitude. And most importantly, they must love children. I would advise parents to attend a trial lesson, observe how the coach works, read reviews, and listen to the child's opinion and reaction. The child will immediately say if they want to come back for another training session.

With consistent and regular training, results will be noticeable after a month. Our training includes a short warm-up on land, breathing exercises in the water, working with a kickboard, front crawl, backstroke, and side stroke. There are many different exercises. In my many years of experience, I have noticed that kids find breathing exercises challenging. This involves exhaling through the nose to push out water. Children also fear lying horizontally on the water, whether on their chest or back. The coach must constantly guide, observe, correct how the legs should work, and how the arms should be beautifully stretched out. But, as I repeat, with consistent and regular training, children show excellent results.

Introduction to swimming begins with the basic style – the front crawl and backstroke. This involves a straight, horizontally stretched body, straight legs extended back, and straight arms. The child must lie on the water, feel the water holding them, and become familiar with it. The crawl involves familiar movements, similar to walking, with straight leg kicks and arm strokes. We practice all of this on land first. Then comes the butterfly stroke. During training, I tell them: kids, swim like fish, like birds. Imagine your legs are a fish's fin. We demonstrate the undulating body movements.

I believe swimming is wonderful! It is the best sport because it harmoniously develops the entire body's system: muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory. It builds endurance and strength in all muscle groups. A child becomes flexible, agile, strong, and their immunity is strengthened. Especially important during school years is swimming. Water relieves psycho-emotional tension. Swimming is an excellent prevention of scoliosis, and learning to swim correctly can only be taught by a professional coach with many years of experience, great love for children, and a kind heart.