IT goes without saying that Michelle Smith has already achieved the qualifying marks to enable her defend her butterfly titles in the European championships in Seville in August. It is one of the reasons why, as a member of the Team 2000, she will not be in the squad of eight chosen to compete at the Mulhouse long course international meet in France this weekend.
National coach Ger Doyle would like to see all of his squad make early markers in Mulhouse but cannot say for certain whether or not Smith will exercise a right to compete in Seville which the remainder of the elite squad would dearly wish to possess at this stage.
Smith is to make a final decision on her European plans next month, the last day of which is the deadline for the Team 2000 aspirants to produce the goods. The eight chosen are Lee Kelleher, Chantal Gibney, Adrian O'Connor, Nick O'Hare, Hugh O'Connor, Paul McCarthy, Colin Louth and Darragh Sharkey.
In all, three major long course meets, subject to funding, are pencilled in for Doyle's dedicated squad to make it to Seville. Opportunities for them and Michael Giles, who opts out this time, at glamour meets in Sheffield and Vienna or Barcelona will also be made available.
Should things not have worked out by the May 31st deadline for most of the elite squad, the selectors, ever aware of the importance of the larger representation at overseas events, could resort to using the old reliable percentage system in order to assemble a numerical strength of at least six competitors.
"In a situation where only two or three qualifies, we would be anxious to accommodate the younger swimmers with the opportunity of competing for the experience. I would be pleased with six qualifiers," says Doyle.
Doyle, as coach, and Betty Beattie, as manager, will fly out with the eight strong team on Friday for the Saturday Sunday Mulhouse meet.
Lee Kelleher's uncertainty about her competitive plans almost equals those of Smith. The selectors feel that there could be a 15 years lower age limit for Seville and that as a 14 year old, Kelleher's entry is consequently in doubt. Doyle expects to have the situation clarified this week.
Apart from eligibility, Kelleher may focus solely on the European championships in Glasgow (July 31st-August 3rd). This event would provide her with suitable experience and a more realistic chance of a medal.
Kelleher is likely to use the ASA National championships at Crystal Palace on July 17th-20th or the European Youths Olympic Days event in Portugal (July 19th-23rd) and/or the Irish Open national championships in the Grove Baths Belfast (July 22nd-26th) as run in events to the Junior Europeans.
The Cork girl has quite a lot on her plate and is more than likely to opt out of Seville, notwithstanding age limitations.
National coach Doyle hopes to arrange a tete a tete with Michelle Smith in New Ross when he returns from Mulhouse. The triple gold Olympian, based in Kilkenny, will be in the town as part of her promotional stints. She will hold sessions with young aspirants.
The IASA executive, at its meeting at the weekend, agreed new standards for junior records.
Plans for a major seminar in October dealing with club, branch and National team managers are almost finalised.
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