PAN PAC OPEN WATER TO BE SWUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH JUNIOR PAN PACS IN MAUI

 

Pan Pacs Swimming, August 24, 2014: Monday’s 10km open water events at the Hancock Prospecting 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships have been postponed due to poor water quality at two Gold Coast venues.

The event will now be swum in conjunction with the Junior Pan Pacs in Maui on August 31.

Organisers investigated a move from Marine Stadium, Southport to Lake Hugh Muntz,  after strong winds and heavy rain caused concerns with the water quality.

But results of tests carried out on the back-up venue, Lake Hugh Muntz on Saturday came back 24 hours later with borderline levels.

After consultation with the four charter nations, USA, Japan and Canada, host nation Australia was not prepared to risk the health and safety of the athletes.

Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said it was a most unfortunate situation which unfolded over the past week, especially for the athletes, who had prepared for swimming toughest open water contest.

“For the international teams, athletes and their families it’s a long way to come not to get a swim and we regret this situation occurring.

“We are sincerely apologetic but we were unfortunately left with no alternative but to make the call to cancel,” said Mr Anderson.

“The heavy, consistent rain fall that fell on the Gold Coast this week has caused increased pollution in the water ways and lakes.

“The wind and rain forced us to look for another venue when Marine Stadium became an issue and when the results came back from tests carried out at our contingency venue at Lake Hugh Muntz they were not consistent with the water quality levels required to stage a major international open water competition.”

Network Ten, through ONE HD and Channel Ten will televise the four-day 2014 Hancock Prospecting Pan Pacific Swimming Championships live from the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Saturday night’s finals session featuring US superstars Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly and Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle as well as both 4 x 100m freestyle relays will be telecast live on Channel Ten from 7.30pm. The Thursday, Friday and Sunday finals sessions will be televised live on ONE HD.

The morning sessions will be streamed live via the Swimming Australia website: http://www.swimming.org.au/live

Finals sessions are sold out but there are still tickets available for the four morning sessions (10am) and they are available through www.ticketmaster.com.au

Event media contact: Ian Hanson – 0407 385 160 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Australian team media contact: Kathleen Rayment – 0432 915 262, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kathleen Rayment | Media & Public Relations Coordinator | Swimming Australia Ltd
PO Box 3286, Belconnen ACT 2617 | Direct: 02 6219 5623 | M: 0432 915 262 |  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.swimming.org.au

Ian Hanson| Media Manager Pan Pacs
Media Manager, 2014 Australian Commonwealth Games Team
Deputy Media Manager 2016 Australian Olympic Team
Media Manager 2014 Pan Pacs