OPEN WATER IS BEIJING-BOUND
Open Water swimming will make its Olympic debut at the Beijing
Games in 2008 after the International Olympic Committee Executive
Board agreed the sport for inclusion earlier today.
The 10k event for both men and women has been given the go-ahead
and will provide a major boost for the sport in Britain, which
currently attracts up to 2,000 swimmers.
British number one Alan Bircher made the transition from
the pool to open water three years ago and has already made
his mark on the international circuit.
Winning the LEN European Cup two years in a row and collecting
silver at the 2004 World and European Championships, makes
the 24-year-old one of top names in open water swimming and
will stand in him good stead for 2008.
British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes is delighted
with the news.
"British Swimming welcomes the inclusion of the 10k
event at the Beijing Olympics," he enthused. "We
have a talent in open water swimmer Alan Bircher who has medalled
at a series of international events since taking the sport
up three years ago.
"Alan has tremendous potential and we will be working
with him to ensure he can compete for medals in Beijing.
"We will also be working closely with our younger athletes
to ensure we have a strong squad available to compete in London
in 2012."
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