No ceiling to swimming records

OLYMPIC GAMES: Swimmers will set world records at this year's Athens Olympics despite organisers scrapping plans for a roof over the outdoor pool, Australia head coach Leigh Nugent said yesterday.

Swimming's world governing body FINA said on Monday it was surprised and disappointed a temporary roof would not be built to protect competitors and spectators from the sun.

However Nugent, whose team is set to include world record holders Ian Thorpe (200 and 400 metres freestyle) and Grant Hackett (1,500 metres freestyle), said the Australians were confident competitors would be protected from the heat during the Games. "The roof was supposed to be built but I'm sure they're not going to leave the athletes out there to fry in the sun," he said.

Nugent said cold water would be automatically added to the pool if it grew warmer than 27 degrees Celsius and the waiting room for competitors would be air-conditioned. "They're not going to be sitting out there stressing just prior to their event in blazing sun so I would think the athletes will cope and we will see world records," Nugent said.

Organisers said last week they had abandoned plans to build a roof above the outdoor pool because there was not enough time to finish it before the August 13th-29th Games.

Nugent said he had visited the Olympic pool in Athens earlier this month and been assured by officials adequate shade would be provided for swimmers.

Thorpe's coach Tracey Menzies said earlier this month her swimmers had been training in the expectation that a makeshift, open-ended tarpaulin roof would be used to cover the venue.

Nugent has also expressed confidence in security arrangements for the Games. "They're spending a huge amount of money on security over there. I think we'll be well looked after."

"They (Athens organisers) are not going to leave us in a situation where we're at risk," Nugent said. "We've got to adopt the attitude that they're going to do their job and we're going to do ours."