Swim Ireland is to meet the Olympic Council of Ireland this week to discuss plans for the Sydney Olympics. The meeting comes only days before Team 2000 members will be trying to make qualifying times for next month's European Championships in Helsinki at the Grand Prix final in Sheffield.

Excused from competing in Sheffield are two qualifiers for the Europeans, US-based Chantal Gibney and Trinity student Colin Lowth of Cormorants. Andrew Bree of Ards has returned from Australia where he set up a personal best time in the Australian Olympic trials at 200 metres breaststroke (2.19.33).

Europe's best will compete in Sheffield but Irish aspirants can benefit from the pace and attain personal best times that could guarantee Hensinki places.

Injury sustained by Siobhan McNally at last month's Vienna international has unfortunately ruled her out for Sheffield. Exams compound the pressure for some of the young Irish squad. Cork's Lee Kelleher is sitting her exams adjacent to the Sheffield complex and Hugh O'Connor will still be in the examination hall up to 48 hours before travelling.

Graham Beegan, Neil Cameron, Steven Manley, Donal O'Neill, Muiris O'Riada and Andrew Reid are also Sheffield bound.