SIMMONDS SWITCHES OLYMPIC PREPARATION TO LOUGHBOROUGH
British Champion Elizabeth Simmonds is set to train at Loughborough
University as she sets her sights on the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games.
The backstroke specialist will begin full-time training at
the 50m facility on Monday and joins Ben Titley's group of
athletes, which include World medallists Liam Tancock and
Caitlin McClatchey.
Simmonds will now be able to train with a team of support
staff and sport scientists that are based at Loughborough
as she looks to focus everything on achieving the best possible
result in August.
"It was a difficult decision to leave Lincoln but after
having discussions with Marc [Spackman] we both decided that
it would be a natural progression for me," said Simmonds.
"Loughborough University will provide me with the perfect
environment to help my development towards the Olympic Games.
"Moving to Loughborough is the next step in my development,
I will get to work with other athletes that are ranked higher
than me in the world and I will be able to aspire to meet
their level.
"Loughborough University will provide a professional
environment with specialist weight areas and dedicated staff
that will help me take the step up that I am ready to take.
Simmonds claimed a silver medal in the 200m Backstroke at
the World Swimming Championships (25m) in Manchester and became
the second fastest woman in history to swim the distance.
The 17-year-old also qualified for her first Olympic squad
after claiming gold and silver in the 200m and 100m Backstroke
at this year's British Championships (50m) and she looks back
on her time at Lincoln Vulcans fondly.
"Lincoln is a great club and I enjoyed my time there
but now I am ready to re-focus my training and work in an
environment where I can have constant access to a long-course
pool," she said.
"I have thanked Marc for everything he has done for
me. We are both very proud of everything we have achieved
together and my recent achievements go a long way to show
how well we worked together."
Simmonds leaves Lincoln Vulcans with the full support of
her former coach Marc Spackman who feels the benefits of the
swimmer's programme will have a major impact on her performance
at the biggest sporting event in the world this summer.
"I wish Lizzie luck in her new environment," Spackman
said. "I hope she can achieve everything she aims to.
I know she is an extremely talented swimmer and I know she
has the potential to be an Olympic champion one day.
"The facilities in Loughborough are great and she will
be training alongside some of the best athletes in the country
which I believe will push her forward.
"As a club Lincoln Vulcans has a history of producing
world class swimmers (including Kate Haywood and Lizzie Simmonds)
through its swimming programme and is committed to producing
swimmers of this calibre in the future."
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