Student Athlete Keeps Eye On Commonwealth Games After Valuable Mare Nostrum Lessons

While the results may not have reflected her full potential, student athlete Lara van Niekerk (second year IIE Bachelor of Commerce Emeris Online) views her recent participation in the first leg of the prestigious 2026 Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Monaco as a valuable learning experience as she builds towards future international competition.

“I used the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour as preparation for the Commonwealth Games. It was to see where I stand and it was my last competition before the Commonwealth Games. Overall, I received some good race training while figuring out what we need to fix and work on”, said van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk participated in the 50 meter breaststroke and shares more about her competition day: “The first 25 meters of the 50 meters was really good but the second 25 meters wasn’t as good as we wanted it. We changed a bit of my training 3 weeks prior to the event. I believe my body is still adapting to the new training stimulus. I started going to gym and I think my body was still a bit tired and that it was still adapting during the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour. Thus, the competition was a good indication of my body is reacting to the new stimulus. I also think I needed a lot more rest than what we thought I would need”.

Adapting to a new training programme while participating in this competition is what motivates Van Niekerk. This was Van Niekerk’s fourth year participating. “The level of competition at the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour was the best I have ever experienced. Not being part of the top 10 does not make me stressed - I know where my body was and how I felt during the competition and I wasn’t at my best. If I was at my best and there was nothing else to change, I would probably stress a bit. I know what I am capable of, so with all the input I have now post the competition, I know what I need to work on. I am actually pretty excited to get back to work and just work on those little things for the Commonwealth Games”.

Van Niekerk keeps her Commonwealth Games dream alive while balancing her studies and constant training. “You focus a little bit more on the one and then the other. It’s hard sometimes, if I do need to miss training for a day or two that’s fine. I need to prioritise studies first sometimes and then I can go back to training. Knowing what to prioritise in the moment is more important”.

Her support system also makes a difference in helping her succeed. “My coach who has been with me for more than 15 years has made me a Commonwealth Games champion, and he has made me a world medalist. My parents are also constantly supporting me all the way and above all they fund everything. My biggest supporter is without a doubt my sister Joa van Niekerk, and that’s all you need as a professional swimmer - support and people who believe in you no matter what”.

Van Niekerk shares some advice with fellow students and aspiring athletes: “It's not always easy. I mean, the sports are really tough and it's always really hard being at your base. But just keep going, it's always going to be worth it in the end. Don’t stop when it starts getting tough or when you don’t really enjoy it anymore. If you do struggle, just find the love in the sports and why you do it. I mean, I struggled now for a long time and I actually ended up changing my phone wallpaper to a baby photo of me swimming, just to remind myself of why I do this, for the love of swimming. I'm doing it for that little girl. You never know how close you are to that breakthrough or that big accomplishment”.