THE unique spectacle of two Irish women competing in the same race at the Olympic Games in Atlanta this summer is a possibility that depends on Marion Madine's progress in the butterfly discipline over the next couple of months.
Madine is one of six members of the elite national squad currently training at altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona. She has already qualified for the Olympics with B times which would not be good enough for her to compete in the butterfly event in Atlanta due to Michelle Smith filling the allotted place on A qualification.
Should Nadine improve to the point of attaining A status before early June she would be eligible for direct competition with the Irish number one.
It is an ambition that occupies the Belfast law graduate's thoughts as she hones her skills in Flagstaff this month. The multi nations long course arena meet in Vienna at the end of the month, will be one of her last opportunities to reach her targets.
To be restricted to competing in freestyle and breakstroke events at the Games would be a huge disappointment to Madine in her first Olympics. It will be remembered that, amid bitter debate and confusion on the circumstances of qualification for Barcelona, she, along with Gina Galligan, was cruelly denied her chance.
Earl McCarthy is in a similar position to Madine in that he too has failed so far to reach an A time. But the difference here is that McCarthy is the only qualifier for freestyle from Ireland and can compete in the event of his choice.
Madine and McCarthy are a lot better off than Adrian O'Connor of New Ross, who is still in pursuit of an Olympic qualifying mark. O'Connor is confident that he can reach his goal at back stroke and expects to vindicate himself in Vienna at the earliest or at the Sheffield Grand Prix on May 25th and 26th.
O'Connor's younger brother, Hugh, Chantal Gibney, Colin Louth and Daragh Sharkey are also in Flagstaff. More than 25 competitors will be taking part in the NCTC training camp in Limerick later this month.
Graham Beegan, Lee Kelleher and Brian Gibson have already qualified for the European junior championships in Copenhagen in August.
The team will compete in the Sheffield Grand Prix and in the Scottish national championship meeting from June 11th to 14th.
