>
Colombian former World Champion Jorge Botero was the coach of the Belgian team for the World Championships. "He is the best in tactics and strategy."
Winning two World titles and two silvers and a bronze, Bart Swings was one of the best performers at the championships in Colombia. Jorge Botero was a big factor in these successes.
Jorge Botero, Ferre Spruyt and Bart Swings, hiding for the rain during the World Championships in Colombia
Bart Swings: "As a kid I really looked up on him. He was part of the Rollerblade team I was a big fan of. He had such a powerful apearance. It's something I try to have too."
What did you learn from him during the tournament?
"How to fight and do everything you can to get the victory. You just may not let anything stand in your way. He is a very good motivator, gives you a clear goal and makes sure you will do anything to reach it."
"And his experience from his own racing career is immense. We talked a lot about tactics and he tried to share as much knowledge as possible."
(C) Escuela de Patinaje Boteritos
What is his best quality?
"His enthusiasm for our beautiful sport of inline skating. He calls himself a freak, and he is one. When he was an athlete, he lived 100% for the sport, and now he still does. He was totally absorbed by the racing and our performances."
"He isn't training that much anymore, but sometimes he joined us. He didn't care if that was an interval training straight away. I can only admire his determination."
Jorge Botero during his career as an athlete (C)teamrollerblade.com
"We got a lot of attention for a small country like Belgium. We were on the front page of 'El Mundo', we could train on the track, even if it wasn't, due to the rain, according schedule. Jorge's big smile and the fact he has a lot of respect, played a big role in that for sure."
