SYNCHRO START 2012 PREPARATIONS AT ALDERSHOT ARMY BARRACKS
Britain's top synchronised swimmers are to share facilities
with the British Army at its Aldershot base in a partnership
that will give an emerging squad its best chance of success
at London 2012.
The Aldershot High Performance Centre, officially launched
at the Aspire Defence-run Garrison Sports Centre today, will
be home to a group of synchronised swimmers and their coaches
dedicated to turning the fortunes of a sport revived by the
promise of a home Olympics.
11 of the country's top athletes, aged 17-24, are now based
at the centre combining full-time training with their studies.
The British duet have been training in Aldershot since January
whilst team athletes transferred to the army base last month
(September) to train for up to six hours per day, six days
a week. By 2012, athletes will be expected to train for up
to eight hours in the pool each day with additional conditioning
and flexibility work.
The swimmers benefit from world class facilities at the Garrison
where a deep eight-lane 50m pool, modifications including
an underwater music system and poolside televisions, and access
to gym facilities provide the perfect training environment.
Additional sessions at the English Institute of Sport (EIS)
at Bisham Abbey provide athletes with physiology, sports psychology,
sports nutrition and strength and conditioning support.
British Synchro National Performance Director Biz Price has
been in post since January and is delighted with the facilities
on offer in Aldershot.
"We are excited to be training in a world class environment
at the Aldershot Garrison," she said. "For the first
time in British Synchro's history we have athletes training
full time at a centralised High Performance Centre. This will
enable us to compete at the highest level and provide the
best preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games where the athletes
will be competing in front of their home crowd."
British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes is pleased
the new High Performance Centre has been established at his
'favourite' location.
"When London was announced as 2012 Olympic host we realised
we'd have to step up our game and find a high performance
centre for synchro," he said. "Having been involved
in the redevelopment of the Aldershot pool we knew what a
tremendous facility the army has there.
"I'm delighted the team now has a permanent base at
Aldershot and the realisation of this partnership is thanks
to much support and encouragement from the BOA and the backing
of the Army, Aspire Defence and the Army Sports Control Board."
"Biz has been building a great team at the Garrison,
but as an evolving Olympic sport synchro has a tough challenge
ahead to get into the medal zone. Synchro is a truly demanding
sport and requires massive commitment, but with everyone moving
in the right direction at a world class facility such as Aldershot
we can be ready to compete at 2012."
Simon Clegg praised British Synchro for its commitment to
building a team for the London Olympics.
"London 2012 has provided governing bodies with the
greatest opportunity to make their sport world class,"
he said. "I am delighted British Synchro is grasping
this opportunity with the launch of the High Performance Centre
at Aldershot, which has been short listed as one of the four
potential sites to host Team GB's 2012 preparation camp."
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