SWIMMERS HEAD FOR COMMONWEALTH CAMP
England's swimmers will undergo their final preparations
ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games when they depart
for the sunshine of the Gold Coast, Australia.
The majority of the 26-strong squad leave for Australia on
Saturday where they will spend two weeks fine-tuning race
preparation at The Southport School - British Swimming's offshore
training centre.
The sun-drenched outdoor facilities of Southport will be
a far cry from the wintry weather British-based athletes are
used to at this time of year and the camp will give them ample
opportunity to acclimatise to conditions that have produced
temperatures as high as 43 Celsius in recent weeks.
Defending Champion James Gibson is looking forward to sampling
the summer environment Commonwealth nations such as Australia,
South Africa and New Zealand have enjoyed throughout their
preparation.
"Getting out there two weeks before will give us ample
time to acclimatise. Coming from the cold, damp weather we've
been having into the sunshine Australia enjoys at this time
of year will lift everyone," said the 50m Breaststroke
Champion.
"For me, the main thing is to finish of what I've started
in relation to my training. It will also allow us to taper
down our workload as we rest up ahead of the Games. It's a
chance to relax before going into Melbourne and facing the
might of the Commonwealth nations."
Gibson's preparations this winter have been ideal and, whereas
some athletes suffer illness as a result of the weather, the
Loughborough-based swimmer has been fortunate.
"Training has gone very well. I haven't missed a session
and I've been working hard," explained Gibson. "The
mileage has been put in and these next weeks will be a case
of getting myself mentally ready to race."
It will be Gibson's second Commonwealth Games after he enjoyed
the benefits of the home crowd support Manchester offered
in 2002.
Australia, with the world's strongest women's squad and a
men's team that never fails to impress, will reap the same
advantage this time around as they enjoy the support of a
nation which holds swimming as one of its most popular sports.
"It's going to be a huge challenge facing Australia
with the home support behind them. These Games will be tougher
than ever before with that in mind and taking into account
the strong teams that South Africa, Canada and New Zealand
will have in Melbourne," added Gibson.
For 12 of the squad of 26 it will be the first time they
have experienced the Commonwealth arena and for some it will
be their first ever international event.
One of those sampling the calibre of competition for the
first time is City of Birmingham's Terri Dunning. However,
she will have gained valuable experience from coach Adam Ruckwood
who is himself a former Commonwealth Champion.
"I'm really excited. It's my first major meet and it
will be even more special swimming in Australia where the
sport is number one," said Dunning.
"It's the chance of a lifetime to swim against the strongest
women's team in the world in their own country. The atmosphere
will be amazing."
For Dunning it will be familiar surroundings at The Southport
School as the 20-year-old has used the facility before while
warm-weather training.
"It's an amazing facility. I was there training in 2002
and couldn't believe the quality of the set up.
"My training is going very well. I've been working hard
with my coach and know that I'm as well prepared as I'm going
to be," she said.
Southport is also hosting the Welsh squad's final preparations
and the team arrived there at the beginning of the month in
time to witness an impressive Australian Commonwealth Games
Trials where four new World Records were set.
|
