THOMPSON HAPPY WITH SWIM TEAM'S FOCUS
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31: The Australian Olympic Swim Team has completed media commitments and are continuing last minute fine tuning at their staging camp in Kuala Lumpur ahead of a move to Beijing on Sunday.
An advance party of staff have already left the Malaysian capital and will be in Beijing by the end of the day, ready to report back to Head Coach Alan Thompson and his team.
The 43-member team has been training at the Bukit Jalil pool, the venue that hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and over the last three days has fronted a media pack from Australia, Malaysia and around the world.
Along with training, media commitments and other preparations some members of the team have taken time out to catch a movie, visit the local shops and enjoy the surrounds of the team's hotel.
Interviews from a confident and happy team aside, the media throng were treated to some good swimming as the team continues to prepare for the task ahead.
In his daily media briefing Thompson said he was happy with how things had progressed in the team's camp so far.
"Everyone looks to be in great shape, the atmosphere amongst the team is fantastic and there is plenty of good work being done in the pool," Thompson said.
"The way the kids have being going about their business and the focus they are showing is pleasing and each night when I meet with our team doctor and head physiotherapist they have no real issues to report so that is good.
"The idea now will be to maintain that level of focus as we finish up here in Kuala Lumpur and head over to Beijing."
Dual Olympian Jessicah Schipper is happy with her build up, believing the experience she gained as a 17-year-old in Athens will hold her in good stead this time around.
"So far my training's been going pretty well and I'm happy with the preparation so far and I just can't wait to get to Beijing and start racing," Schipper said.
"I think experience is going to count for a lot because it's an Olympic Games and it's so important and such an amazing meet to be involved in.
"I think it is at times like that when experience helps you the most, when the most important meets are on."
Schipper will swim the heats of the 100 metres butterfly on the opening evening of competition before backing up later in the first week in the 200m butterfly, an event in which she is the world champion and world record holder.
The team will arrive in Beijing just after 3pm on Sunday and will have their first swim in the Water Cube pool sometime on Monday.