- 2013 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Christina Voskou and I am an enthusiastic young lady coming from Cyprus. I am currently on my final year at Kykkos B’ Lyceum, from which I will graduate in June 2014.
My parents introduced sports to me at a very young age. I started both swimming and ballet lessons at the age of five. For four years, I took classes for both, twice a week for each one. However, my love in swimming was much greater than ballet, so I made the first big decision of my life to stop dancing and focus in swimming, following the advice of both my coach and my ballet teacher to choose one, since the two sports contradicted each other.
In 2005, my first coach, who believed in my talent in swimming, urged me to join the Nicosia Nautical Club, for a more advance training in a 50m swimming pool. As the time went by, I became more and more dedicated, I got used to two hours of tough training on a daily basis, and swimming became part of my life; it was then when I decided that my university studies should include or combine sports. My initial choice was to become a gymnast. As I grew older and more mature I decided to study sports nutrition, since I find this course very pioneering and fascinating.
At the age of ten I joined the Cavalier horse riding club in the area of Nicosia, and I participated in competitions individually but also as a team for four years. Horse riding, not only helped me to develop physical skills like strength and balance, but also, gave me the opportunity to improve my relation with responsibilities. Swimming training combined with horse riding lessons, provided me with the abilities to become a liable person, who can follow a certain schedule and program under any circumstances.
Moreover, since I was seven years old I have been participating in a summer camp at Platres, at the mountains of Troodos in Cyprus. I learned how to work as a team at young age and while the years were passing by, I was deemed capable to lead a team of 8 younger girls. It has been an amazing experience to work successfully in a team both as a leader and a simple member.
At the back of my mind I always wanted to be involved in sports in some way. Swimming is my sport but I enjoy participating in other team sports as well, such as volleyball and basketball. I also enjoy track and at the first year of high school (13 years old) I was part of the national team for the pan Hellenic school games in the 1000 metres. I consider myself lucky and blessed at the same time for being involved with sports; at an early age, I learned to set goals and work hard with determination to achieve them. I understand that at some point my career as an athlete will come to an end, this is why I want to get the best education so that I can give back to sports and use my knowledge and my enthusiasm to inspire young people to join and excel in sports, building on their physical abilities and not using other artificial methods such as anabolic, which can set their life at risk.
I am used to work under high pressure and I am confident that I can cope with difficult conditions; every year since 2009, I represent Cyprus at international swimming meetings such as the games of the Small States of Europe, Balkan games and Multinational games. I have faith in my abilities and I am positive that I will not let you down. My swimming records have proved that I am talented with great technique, which could be improved under your supervision and guidance. While I am a breaststroke swimmer, at 50m, 100m and 200m, I also compete at 200m medley. My personal records are 35.0s, 1,14.83s, 2.37,58s and 2.30,68 respectively (50m swimming pool).
I would like to study in the United States because I believe that they have one of the best educational systems worldwide. Furthermore, in general the USA has a multicultural environment which provides unique opportunities to meet and work with students from other countries. Finally, a degree from a US university is highly respected in the Cypriot labour market.
To conclude, I will be honored to attend a University which combines high academic standards with great sports department with successes in the NCAA championships. I can assure you, I will be a hardworking student and athlete that the University will be proud of.
It will be my pleasure to send you more information about my successes in training and academics, in order to provide you with a complete image of myself.
