Williamson the main hope for Athens medal

Top Ulster swim coach George Morrow takes five competitors to Athens this week for the world short course championships. His squad, all from Ulster, will be officially representing Ireland amid mixed feelings on the practicality of the trip.

National coach Ger Doyle insists that emphasis should be solely on long course competition at this stage of an Olympic year. Morrow agrees, but money provided by the Ulster Sports Council for Greece would be lost to the northern swim branch in the event of the trip not going ahead.

Competition in Athens gets under way on Thursday, the same day as the Ulster Open short course tests begin in the Grove baths. The five Ulster swimmers for Athens, the Robinson sisters Emma and Louise, Andrew Reid, Michael Williamson and new find Julie Douglas, based at Lougborough College, have no difficulty with missing their provincial open championships.

Morrow is not under any illusions concerning the task facing his swimmers despite the fact that top swimming nations such as the US and Australia are keeping their best swimmers at home in preparation for Sydney.

"We would be delighted to reach `B' finals, an `A' final appearance for any of our swimmers would be a huge achievement," said Morrow who will be accompanied by team manager Kate Williamson.

Morrow singles out Michael Williamson as the likely medalist in Athens. Williamson was the man in the middle, taking silver, in a remarkable Ulster clean sweep in the British ASA 200 metres breaststroke championship in December.

Williamson's two minutes 15 seconds for the 200 metres breaststroke at the European short course championships in Lisbon indicates a good placing for him in Athens. National coach Doyle sees future swimming seasons in Ireland embracing two national championship occasions, short and long course, when a long course pool is eventually constructed. He predicts the short course season will culminate with national championships in the 25-metre pool by January at the latest.