Yahoo News 
Swimmer in profile: Sarra Lajnef
We sat down with Hamilton Aquatics swimmer Sarra Lajnef to discuss her hopes and dreams and those around her that provide her inspiration.
Name: Sarra Lajnef
Date of birth: September 5, 1989
Birthplace: Tunis
Nationality: Tunisian
City of residence: Dubai
Club: Hamilton Aquatics
Favourite stroke: Breaststroke
PB in your best swimming event: 200m breaststroke: 2:29.55; 100m breaststroke: 1:10.60; 50m breaststroke: 32:68
How did you initially get into swimming? My older brother Ousse had asthma, the doctor told my mother swimming could be very good for him. And I could not be left home by myself, my mother took me along. That’s how I started swimming; I was five years old.
Favourite swimmer: I don’t really have a favourite swimmer!!
Inspiration/idol: My mum for sure. She’s always been my idol. My mum is a colonel in the Tunisian military. She’s a civil engineer, a speciality that not a lot of women choose.
Nicest venue you’ve ever swum in: Manchester for short course and Rome for long course.
Career highlight/best achievement in the pool to date: Being part of the Lady Gators National Champions in 2010 – Nomination for the Best African Swimmer in 2010 – Participating at the 2012 London Olympics – Being the Tunisian record holder in 20 different events.
Toughest swim meet you’ve ever been part of: African championships in 2010 in Casablanca. The meet was seven days. I was very sick and had a fever… But I ended up doing my best times and won 10 medals in total.
Biggest dream/goal in swimming? To make a final at the Olympics and medal at world champs. Write history and be the first Arab women to medal or final at the Olympics. And show the world that Arab women can do it!
Short term goals in swimming? Participate in most of the World Cup circuit competitions and make the final in the breaststroke events. Also make the final at the short course world champs in December in Qatar.
Favourite meal: Rfissa, it’s a Tunisian dish that is basically hand made Arabic bread, mixed with dates and ‘drowned’ in hot milk and butter.
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Least favourite part of swimming practice: Swimming butterfly.
Other sports or hobbies: I love basketball, handball and water polo.
Coolest person you’ve ever met: My Dad. I love my dad to death. He’s my best friend. We always fight and get back together in seconds. We’re like Tom and Jerry.
