COMMONWEALTH CHAMPION SUFFERS INJURY SETBACK
Double Commonwealth Champion Chris Cook has been forced to
pull out of British Swimming's Mare Nostrum tour after he
injured his groin just two days out from the start of the
action.
The injury comes as a massive blow to the City of Newcastle
swimmer, winner of the 50m and 100m Breaststroke at this year's
Melbourne games, who was looking forward to continuing the
kind of form that has delivered numerous honours over the
past 12 months.
And Cook's injury is just the latest to be suffered by some
of Britain's medal hopes as they continue to prepare for this
year's European Championships in Budapest.
Cook's name is added to that of David Davies (City of Cardiff),
who is recovering from a foot infection, Jo Jackson (Durham
Aquatics), who has stayed away from the Mare Nostrum due to
a back complaint, and Liam Tancock (Loughborough University)
who will compete this week for the first time since breaking
a wrist six weeks ago.
The timing of Cook's injury could not have been worse with
his main focus of the summer season just around the corner.
He'll now face the fine balancing act of doing all he can
to repair the damage without risking further setbacks.
"I'm going to have to work so hard for it to be right
for Budapest which is just eight weeks away," said Cook.
"Not only is it going to be a very difficult meet and
a particularly strong battle in the breaststroke events, the
meet also qualifies you for the World Championships next year.
There's so much riding on it and it's a huge blow to me to
be in this position.
"I just pushed off the wall in training yesterday and
felt it go. The strange thing was I was just about to get
out of the water but thought I'd put myself through a few
more turns to tighten things up and then it just went."
"I've had niggles before as many swimmers do but I've
never had anything like this. As soon as it happened I new
it was serious and it now puts my summer in doubt."
Over the past two years Cook has emerged as Britain's number
one breaststroke swimmer so timing of his injury, with the
Europeans, the lure of a World Championship spot at stake
and the knock-on effect that could have on an appearance at
the Beijing Olympics, is particularly cruel.
However, the 26-year-old is in no mood to feel sorry for
himself and will show the same level of determination to return
from injury that he has used to become one of the world's
most respected breaststroke swimmers.
"I was really looking forward to getting involved on
the Mare Nostrum tour but there's simply no chance now,"
said Cook speaking from Canet, France. "I'll be leaving
today for my home in the UK. I need to be there as soon as
I can to try to repair the damage but it's a shame because
the Mare Nostrum are great meets."
Cook believes that by remaining positive he will be able
to overcome adversity quickly and without leaving too many
scars yet it's a bitter pill to swallow after all of the hard
work shown and sacrifices made.
"Like everything in life I believe it's happened for
a reason. It's going to focus me on other aspects of training,
as I won't be able to work on my kick until my groin heals,
so therefore it could be good for other areas of my stroke.
You have to remain positive.
"Since the Commonwealth Games and the success I experienced
I've just been so motivated. Standing on that podium was amazing
but it's made me want even more of that and I've been back
in the water ever since to try to make that happen.
"I've never felt so good about my swimming, it's been
new ground for me. It's so refreshing to come back from a
major meet and be itching to get back into the water. I've
not looked back since and have been training hard which is
why this injury is such a massive blow."
Cook, who is coached by Ian Oliver, has already been in touch
with his support team to help plan his recovery.
"I work with a great physiotherapist from the English
Institute of Sport called Penny Hall. We'll be looking at
the muscle very closely to see how we can repair it properly
while continuing to work the rest of my stroke.
"I made the decision to return to the UK so I can start
treating the injury as soon as I can. To be honest, it would
have been very difficult for me to stay. I just love to race
and sitting there being unable to do that would have been
intolerable.
Swimming is personal to me. I love the sport and it's my
life. You don't feel any outside pressure you just know what
you have to do to perform. In the grand scale of things it's
not life or death but I desperately want to get back to the
action as soon as I can."
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