Bulgarian Star Marathon Swimmer, Coach, Head for London

Bulgaria's best maraton swimmer, Petar Stoychev, has said that a place among the first 8 in the 10K race will be a good result. Photo by BGNES

Krasimir Tumanov, the coach of Bulgarian marathon swimming star Petar Stoychev, has said that a position among the first eight in the 10km race at the London Olympics will be a good result.

Tumanov and Stoychev boarded Monday a flight for London, where the Bulgarian swimmer will compete in the 10K marathon.

"Everything is alright with us. The preparation went very well. We are trying to fight and I believe that a position among the first eight is a good achievement. If we are lucky, we shall achieve the best. The fact that the lake is dirty is not a problem for Peter only; it is a problem for all. We are prepared and if we are lucky, it will all go alright" Tumanov said Monday at Sofia Airport, as cited by the Bulgarian National Television (BNT).

The 10km marathon swim is to take place in in Hyde Park's Serpentine Lake.

Stoychev, in turn, vowed to do his best "to score a decent result for Bulgaria and for myself."

"I would not like to head for London burdened by a striving for a medal. I can only tell you that I have swum more than 3000 km of training since end-October, meaning that we have done all that was up to us. I feel in great shape. The efforts I invested will certainly bring a good result," Stoychev told journalists before heading off to London.

"I have achieved almost everything when it comes to swimming marathons. I scored a sixth place at the previous Olympics, this time I hope I shall be among the first eight. Talking about swimming or track-and-field events, you know all to well that a place among the top 8 is superb. I will do my best, you can be sure that I will not give up," he added.

"I have never swum in that lake. I only know that it is about 2.5m deep and the water is very dirty. It is dirty because of all the swans and the ducks swimming in there. I know that we shall have to complete 6 one-mile loops," Stoychev said.

The 10K marathon swim at the 2012 London Olympics is scheduled for Friday, 2 p.m. EET.

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