SWIM TEAM INSPIRED FOR OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
Sydney, January 14: The Australian Swim Team for this week's Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) attended an inspiring team meeting today on the eve of tomorrow morning's opening heats session. They are ready to live the next week like Olympians. Brooke Hanson reports....
Exactly like the Olympic Games the Australian swimming team has been given accreditation, they are living, eating and sleeping in the Athletes Village, they are experiencing team meetings, undergoing drug testing and are wearing the green and gold with pride.
Most importantly all 36 teenage swimmers are vying for an AYOF medal, a major stepping stone to gaining selection on the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games teams.
Led by Australian Age Champions Mitchell Larkin, Anastasia Osadchuk, Kenneth To, Jessica Ashwood, James Roberts, Megan Mackay, Phoebe Cater and Whitney Ireland the Flippers are looking to step up their performances and swim personal best times.
Head coach Leigh Nugent believes that the AYOF is a great opportunity for the young swimmers on this team to feel what it's like to compete in an Olympic Games.
Nugent spoke to the swim team this morning about the importance of being a member of a team and what it takes to be an elite athlete.
"To perform at your best you need to know your routine and learn how to rest, sleep, re-hydrate and refuel, the AYOF gives them all a chance to prepare to perform at their best," Nugent said.
One athlete who is inspired by the Olympic ideals is Bronte Campbell, sister of Olympic dual 2008 bronze medallist Cate Campbell; she spoke about her Olympic aspirations.
"I have loved swimming since the age of seven and it's a dream of mine to compete at an Olympics," Campbell said.
"I'm not putting any pressure on myself at the AYOF, my goal is to make a final and I'm certain I will surprise myself with my results.
"I would love to compete for Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the experience I get from racing international competitors at the AYOF will help me reach my goal."
Tonight's much anticipated Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Entertainment Centre will see 150 athletes from 31 countries march in the athlete's parade.
When the athletes oath is read, the Olympic flag raised and the flame lit the Australian Youth Olympic Festival will be officially underway. The Festival is uniting 27 countries across 17 sports competing over five days of competition.
The swimming program starts at 9.00am tomorrow (Thursday) morning with 120 swimmers aged13 to 19 years of age representing six countries.
The Australian Youth Olympic Festival is free for spectators and it's an amazing opportunity to come and watch our future Olympic stars.
SWIMMING PROGRAM
Venue: Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Competition Dates: January 15-19
January 5-18: Heats - 9 am; Finals - 6pm
January 19: Heats - 8 am; Finals - 2.00pm