Any Irish swimming event would normally be of little significance in terms of the Olympic Games but the exception is next week in Salthill. Some world class competitors fancied to dominate in Sydney come September will be competing, for Olympic driven reasons, at the Leisureland international short course meet.
A prompt decision to compete by at least one of the top US competitors, world number two Jeremy Linn, represents part of the form watching process that obtains at this stage of an Olympic year. The moment Linn heard that Belgian world champion backstroker Fredrick De Bugrave had signed on for Salthill, the venue suddenly became part of his itinerary.
The fierce rivalry between the pair could lead to a world 25-metre pool record at either 100 or 200 metres backstroke. And US Olympic champion Jon Olsen will also be competing in Salthill. Acceptances from quality European and US competitors supports the view that even in an Olympic year, short course competition is keenly sought and can prove relevant later in the year. Form watching for most of the Leisureland competitors will of course gain in importance next month (March 16th-19th) with the staging of the World short course tests in Athens.
Mark Foster, the World record holder at 50 metres, will be accompanied by fellow top British swimmers James Hickman and Mark Stevens. Swim Ireland PRO Claire Mulholland confirms that big cheques from a special prize fund for a novel 25-metre sprint competition will be available.
Qualifying Irish Olympic hopefuls are intent on making use of the opportunities Salthill offers by breaking long course training abroad. They include Nick O'Hare, campaigning out of Canada, and Florida-based Chantal Gibney, currently being prepared by former Trojan coach Peter Banks who has attained world wide recognition as a result of his successes over the past 10 years in the US.
But Ireland aspirants Mark Craig and Emma Robinson, currently campaigning out of British universities, will not be travelling due to varsity competition.
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