SWIMMING CHAMPION BREAKS WRIST IN FALL
Commonwealth Champion Liam Tancock has been forced out of
the water after breaking his wrist in an accident that could
well ruin his plans for the season.
Less than a month after Tancock collected gold at the Melbourne
Games, thanks to victory in the 100m Backstroke, his long
course season has been left in tatters after a fall down a
flight of stairs at the family home in Exeter during an Easter
break.
Yet the Loughborough University-based swimmer, who celebrates
his 21st birthday next month, is determined to make a swift
return to the form that brought about one World Championship,
three Commonwealth and three European (25m) medals over the
past eight months.
"I couldn't believe it. I just slipped down the stairs
and banged my wrist," explained Tancock. "It hurt
a bit but I carried on until the evening when I noticed just
how swollen it was.
"I got it checked out and discovered I'd broken my radius
at the wrist of my right arm. To be honest I was pretty shocked."
Tancock is aiming to do all he can now to ensure he has the
best recovery possible while trying to maintain his fitness
levels.
"My forearm is in a cast at the moment and I should
wear that between four to six weeks. But my aim is to try
to get the cast off as early as possible so I can get back
into training to repair the damage done," said Tancock.
"I've been training already to keep my fitness levels
up.
"I had plans for this season, I have the European Championships
coming up in July and I wanted to go to Budapest to improve
on what I've done with my career so far."
Coach Ben Titley is confident Tancock will make a full recovery
due to the determination and commitment already shown in such
as short career and together they are looking at the positives
they could take from the situation.
"It might set him back in the short term, in regards
to the goals we have for this summer's European Championships,
but with Liam I'm sure there will be positives to come from
this," explained Titley.
"It's going to give him the opportunity to work on some
of the weaker areas of his swimming while he's unable to train
fully and these improvements will definitely benefit him in
the longer term."
Tancock was a guest of honour at Exeter City's home match
against Dagenham and Redbridge in the Nationwide Conference
on Saturday when he saw his side beat the visitors 3-1. Liam,
together with his three Commonwealth medals, paraded around
the pitch at half time in front of more than 3,000 fans.
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