KHALID A-H ANSARI IN BEIJING

His courage and determination are truly inspirational.

American swimmer Eric Shanteau, who failed to qualify for the Athens '04, discovered last June, a week before the US Olympic trials, that he had testicular cancer.

Undaunted, he participated in the trials and gained second place in the 200m breaststroke to qualify for the Beijing Games.

"What I show to the public is obviously the positive side … but I am human and this has been a roller coaster ride.

"This isn't flu, this is cancer," he says.

Informed by doctors the disease was treatable, the 24-year old swimmer from the state of Georgia decided to postpone surgery in order to compete in Beijing. (He finished sixth in the 200m breaststroke heat yesterday).

"A lot of times you can get to events like this, and you can put maybe too much pressure on yourself and I've kind of got an out with cancer in that cancer's put things in perspective for me.

"There's a lot more to life than the Olympic Games and I think having learned that lesson quickly has kind of helped keep this whole thing in perspective for me," Shanteau says.

As luck would have it, Eric's father, who is now in Beijing, is suffering from lung cancer.

Shanteau says he has derived inspiration from legendary cycling champion Lance Armstrong.

"He's the guy that I looked to before I even came down with the diagnosis. What he did after being diagnosed and being treated for it, you can't help being inspired by that. And also to know that I will be cured and I will beat this is a pretty inspiring thought too, and it's not going to control my life."

Great support

WHAT AN EFFORT: American swimmer Eric Shanteau, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer last June, finished sixth in the 200m breaststroke heat in Beijing yesterday. PIC/AFP

Shanteau concedes that his condition is on his mind constantly but the tremendous support he has received from his teammates, who have taken him under their wing, has made it that much easier for him.

Michael Phelps, who won his fifth gold meal of these Games yesterday, says all the American swimmers are helping Eric.

"I lost my grandmother to cancer. I now it's not an easy battle.

"I know his goal was to swim in the Beijing Olympics. He's doing that, he's excited, he's positive we're all supporting each other in everything we do."

Aaron Peirsol, who is defending his 100m and 200m backstroke crowns, says Eric has been an inspiration.

"The way he has handled it has put everything else in perspective for all of us," Peirsol, who set a new world record to win the gold in the 100m backstroke on Tuesday, said.

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On the subject of cancer, 198 Chinese cancer patients have arrived from Shanghai for a seven-day all expenses paid trip to the Games.

The idea was born seven years ago, at the instance of the Shanghai Cancer Recovery Club, when Beijing won the bid for the 2008 Olympics. The Club now has more than 9,000 members.

According to Li Huijuan, a member of the organising team: "The trip ignited really strong survival instincts in people," he said.

"Even though they were all battling cancer, they were determined to be around to see the Olympics in their own country."

The club encouraged members to save two yuans (approx Rs. 14) every day to cover their expenses. The members' savings were supplemented by generous donations from several organisations.

"It's not just the collecting of money but their strong will that has helped them all to keep on living," Huijuan says.

All of the people on the trip have completed five years of treatment after their cancer was detected, which means that they are all in a comparatively stable condition.

Apart from sightseeing in Beijing, the group will attend eight Olympic competitions. Each member will get to see two events on average.
 
(With inputs from China Daily)