Athletes told to keep to diet at Asian Games<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea<\/p>\n
Indonesian athletes taking part in the Busan 2002 Asian Games,
\nespecially those who must compete in a certain weight class, will
\nhave to watch their diets, with the Busan Asian Games Organizing
\nCommittee (BAGOC) putting on an impressive spread at the
\nathletes' village.<\/p>\n
\"There is plenty of food here, but that's exactly the problem.
\nOur athletes, such as the martial artists and weightlifters, may
\ngain weight and move outside their weight classes,\" Indonesian
\ndeputy chef-de-mission Imron Z.S. said outside the athletes'
\nvillage in Haeundae on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the athletes have taken their own precautions, but we
\nstill ask the coaches to keep their eyes on their athletes'
\nweight.<\/p>\n
\"On the other hand, athletes who do not have a weight class
\nare very happy with the meals provided. Our cyclists, rowers and
\ncanoeists often eat more (than other athletes),\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesian cyclists who have been here since Sept. 17
\ncomplained about the food, saying it tasted different than in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lot of food here but the taste just doesn't fit my
\ntongue,\" said cyclist Samai.<\/p>\n
Wushu athlete Susyana, however, found the menu just right.<\/p>\n
The cyclists also complained about the facilities at the
\nathletes' village.<\/p>\n
\"The room is luxurious but with no facilities at all. There
\nisn't a telephone or a television. We have to go to the ground
\nfloor to wash our clothes,\" said cyclist Wawan Setyobudi.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the athletes' complaints, Imron said all of the
\ncontingents at the Games received the same facilities,
\nemphasizing that the athletes had to accept and adjust to
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
It is early autumn in Busan, and the weather is getting cooler
\neach day. The chilly temperature is another difficulty for the
\nIndonesian athletes, more accustomed to tropical weather.<\/p>\n
Indonesian cyclists said the cool Busan weather had prompted
\nthem to wear sweaters and gloves during their training sessions.<\/p>\n
\"And the air is thin here, making it more difficult to breathe
\nand preventing us from getting the most out of our training
\nsessions,\" said Samai.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian cyclists had just returned from a practice
\nsessions at the velodrome in the Gyeumjeong Sports Complex, some
\n23 kilometers from the athletes' village.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, veteran Indonesian windsurfer I Gusti Made Oka
\nSulaksana said he was still studying the wind and wave patterns
\nat Haeundae beach.<\/p>\n
Oka, who has been here since Sept. 8 with another windsurfer,
\nFadly Faisal, said the waves at Haeundae were different because
\nthey came in sideways.<\/p>\n
\"Usually waves come from behind, pushing the surfboard. The
\nproblem is compounded by the wind, which sometimes disappears.
\nPerhaps these problems are because of Busan's hilly geography.<\/p>\n
\"But I am still trying to master both the wave and wind
\ncurrents, get to know the venue better,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Oka won gold at the Bangkok 1998 Asian Games and is determined
\nto defend his title, despite the wave and the wind problems.<\/p>\n
Security around the athletes' village is very tight, with only
\nauthorized personnel and vehicles allowed to enter the compound.<\/p>",
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