BRITISH SQUAD READY FOR EUROPEAN TEST
All eyes will be on Debrecen, Hungary this week as the 30-strong
GB squad make their final preparations before competing at
the European Short Course Championships.
With 38 countries sending athletes, the event, only four
months out from the FINA World Short Course Championships,
will showcase the best of European swimming talent, and many
expect records to fall.
British Head Coach Kevin Renshaw leads the team in Debrecen
and knows the challenges ahead for the athletes.
"Championships held in Europe always tend to produce
fast races, and Debrecen will be no exception. About half
the squad here have come straight from competing at the Dutch
Open (50m) Championships where the Dutch women's 4x100m Freestyle
relay squad smashed the World Record by three seconds.
With the team being made up of both experienced swimmers,
and those making their debut on the senior team, Renshaw does
not believe any member of the squad will be intimidated by
the occasion.
"All 30 members of the squad here with us in Hungary
have one thing on their mind, the Olympics. Whether it's selection
for Beijing next year or London in 2012, all 30 swimmers have
come here determined to put their own mark on the championships.
Renshaw continued, "It won't be easy. The likes of Cassie
Patten, Keri-Anne Payne (both Stockport Metro), Rebecca Cooke
(Co Glasgow) and Chris Cook (Co Newcastle) have just returned
from the Endless Summer training camp in Australia, where
they were put through an exceptionally demanding training
block and so they are coming into this meet very tired.
"However, all are striving for a place on the team to
Beijing so I know they will dig deep into their reserves and
use their talent and experience to compete hard.
Others in the squad competed well last weekend in Eindhoven
and come to Debrecen with renewed confidence. Renshaw said,
"We produced some excellent results in Eindhoven with
Katy Sexton (Portsmouth Northsea) taking gold in the 100m
Backstroke. Katy has been away from the GB squad for a while
and to see her return to form and enjoy her swimming is very
special and should inspire others.
"Emma Bird (Nova Centurion) and Dean Milwain (Loughborough
University) also competed very well with both taking bronze
in the 200m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle respectively in
what were well judged races. Both are eager to produce results
going into next years Olympic Trials."
While many in the team will not get to Beijing but are aiming
for London in 2012, the event will provide senior international
experience and all the pressures associated with that.
Renshaw said, "All our athletes, whether experienced
or making their senior debut, will have the chance to race
against some of the world's best swimmers. In my team talk
today, I urged them all to race and compete hard but also
to enjoy and learn from the experience.
"We have a talented group of swimmers and coaches here,
all of whom are focused and determined to succeed. With many
of the 'big' GB names away on training camps, this is a real
opportunity for a new generation of swimmers to make their
mark on Europe and beyond."
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