Dolphins will go the distance without Ashwood who withdraws from World Short Course in Windsor

  

Swimming Australia: November 21, 2016: Distance Freestyler Jessica Ashwood has had to withdraw from the upcoming FINA World Short Course Championships due to illness.

Triple-Olympian Emily Seebohm alongside fellow Rio Olympians Brittany Elmslie, Mitch Larkin, David Morgan and Daniel Smith will headline the now 19-strong team that consists of 11 rookies but they will be without their teammate Ashwood who after falling ill with a viral infection has had to withdraw from the team.

 

After making the difficult decision, Ashwood has temporarily returned to her family home in Sydney to rest and recover and said she was disappointed she would not be able to join her teammates in Windsor. 

 

“I decided to withdraw from the world short course team after being unwell with a viral infection,” Ashwood said.

 

“Representing the Australian Dolphins is a privilege but, I felt I could not represent the team to the highest standard while unwell.

 

“I’m now taking time to rest and recover so that I can return to training healthy and strong in preparation for the Australian Championships next year in April,” she said.

 

With the athletes’ health and well-being always the number one priority Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren said, although she will be missed on the team, he very much supported Ashwood’s decision to withdraw.

 

"It’s very unfortunate that Jess had to withdraw from the World Short Course Championships,” Verhaeren said.

 

“But looking at the bigger picture with Trials in April and another World Championship in Budapest next year it’s more important to get healthy and after that to start the training required to achieve those goals.” 

 

Verhaeren was also excited at the fresh new faces on the team and what they could produce at their first major meet.

 

The World Championship Team is an exciting mix of rookies, athletes that haven’t been on teams for a few years and some recent Olympians,” Verhaeren said.

 

“The aim is to improve on their results from the national short course championships to see where that takes them. It’s going to be a good experience where all can learn a lot and get exposure and experience at the International Stage.” 

The 2016 FINA World Short Course Championships are just around the corner with the Australian Dolphins making their way to Windsor on Thursday December 1 for the competition that commences on Tuesday December 6.