AUSTRALIAN LEGEND TALBOT JOINS BRITISH SWIMMING
The coach regarded as being at the forefront of the revolution
that put Australia on top of the swimming world has joined
British Swimming.
Legendary Australian coach Don Talbot takes up his role as
a consultant and will work with a select group of coaches
to ensure their skills and experience exceed those of their
rivals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Talbot will also work with a larger group of coaches that
have been earmarked for development in the run up to London
2012.
"It's not something we can involve everyone in but we
will focus on those Olympic coaches we have already identified
as well as a promising selection we've identified for 2012,"
said National Performance Director Bill Sweetenham.
"We will also ensure the messages given by Don and the
lessons learned are passed along the line to other coaches
to help with the overall education of coaches in this country.
"The aim is to make sure the messages I give are reinforced
in order that Great Britain has the best prepared coaches
on the deck at the Olympic Games. Our worst coach, on their
worst day, must be better than the best coach of any other
nation on their best day."
Talbot's arrival continues British Swimming's unrelenting
quest to provide coaches and swimmers with world class support.
"We need to ensure our coach development is a world
leader and with the likes of Don Talbot, Tim Kerrison, Bob
Treffene and Bill Pilczuk we are putting in place the knowledge
and experience of international coaches to compliment the
skills of the British coach," said Sweetenham.
"We've managed to bring some fantastic coaches to Britain
to help work with swimming and Don is a valuable addition
to these."
Talbot's work with British Swimming began on a recent training
camp in Australia where he worked alongside British Head Coach
Ian Turner.
He will provide practical guidance and will form part of
the team on tours to next year's Mare Nostrum series as well
as the European Championships.
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