Ashley and Faith Khoo: Florida

For swimming's sisters act, it's still home sick home

Sisters Faith (left) and Ashley Khoo dressing up for homecoming week at the Bolles School in Florida, where they are based.
Sisters Faith (left) and Ashley Khoo dressing up for homecoming week at the Bolles School in Florida, where they are based. PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY KHOO
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When one is far from home, the simplest things can bring comfort. For a 16-year-old Singaporean swimmer in Florida, it is as basic as speaking English as she knows it: with a familiar accent and at a rapid speed.

As Ashley Khoo, who trains at The Bolles School in Florida alongside her younger sister Faith, says: "Not everyone can understand our Singaporean accent, so when I want to talk to someone without speaking really slowly, I can talk to my sister."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 01, 2018, with the headline For swimming's sisters act, it's still home sick home. Subscribe