Albert, Felix's double vision of Games gold

JAKARTA (JP): Wherever they go, Albert Christiadi and Felix Christiadi Sutanto have people doing double takes. And it is not only because they are twins. Their dazzling twin feats in the pool also have contributed to their fame.

Albert and Felix, born in Surabaya on Dec. 24, 1975, are going for gold in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

"Definitely a gold from the 4x100m relay with Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana and my brother Felix. We have been unbeatable since 1991. I also am aiming for a gold in the 200m butterfly stroke," said Albert, who won the 1997 Games silver in his specialty. Felix won the 1997 Games gold in the 200m individual medley.

They learned to swim at the age of eight and later joined the Hiu team in their hometown. Parents Tjokro Sanjaya and Findawati Sutanto supported the talented twins, who were first named to the national team in 1991.

Albert, who is 20 minutes older than Felix, admitted they were not optimally prepared for the Games because they were forced to quit their studies at Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California, due to the monetary crisis.

"We only joined the centralized training program a couple of months ago. But we maintained our physical condition during the vacuum period," Albert said.

They plan to resume their studies in graphic design at college, but for the time being they are concentrating on the Games.

"Maybe we will continue our studies next year. But if we qualify for the Olympics, maybe we will have to postpone our plan," Felix said.

Why pick graphic design as a major over such traditional "favorites" for swimmers of economics and business?

"Because we are good at drawing. Besides, too many swimmers have studied economics, like Richard and Wisnu," Felix said.

They admitted to switching places a couple of times in international competition.

"I think it was in 1988 when we competed in the Philippines and Chinese Taipei. We were only 13 and we didn't have as many pimples as today. Nobody, except our teammates, can tell between us," Albert said.

Although Albert said he possessed a more dominating personality, their identical tastes run to food, music, movies and even the opposite sex.

"Everything I like, Felix also likes. If I meet a girl and I say she's pretty, he has the same inclination," Albert said. "We also usually buy the same models of shirts but in different colors. It's just to differentiate which one belongs to whom."

Both admire American NBA great Michael Jordan.

"We collect his memorabilia, from videotapes, T-shirts, posters to shoes. I think he's great because he is very dominant among his teammates in the Chicago Bulls and he was picked the MVP six times."

They plan to quit swimming if they fail to qualify for the Olympics, with their final competition to be the National Games next year in Surabaya. They are confident up-and-coming swimmers are ready to take their place.

"We have three juniors, Hendrik (Eko Andi Putra), Akbar (Nasution) and Steven (Chandra). I believe in three years they will manage to equal the seniors' record," Albert said.

"But if we perform outstandingly in the Games and manage to qualify for the Olympics, it will be a different story," Felix added. (yan)