Swimming SA look forward to success at London Olympics.(SABC)
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South Africa's best swimmers will be given every chance of success at the London Olympics later this year. Despite the financial issues facing Swimming South Africa (SSA), it is reported that the top contenders have a program in place that takes them right to the Athletes Village in July.
The first part of the plan was last month's International Invitational in Durban and next month the top swimmers will take part in a test event at the Olympic Pool in London.
The focus is on the top eight, who are part of the Operation Excellence Program (OpEX).
Dean Price, SSA High Performance Manager, says that they are starting to build a team that will support their swimmers and give them the best opportunity. "We want our swimmers to be the ones who bring back the medals in the South African Olympic team."
According to reports, although some of the SSA swimmers have already swam qualifying times, the actual Olympic team will be chosen after the Olympic trials which are to be held in Durban in April.
Now it is up to us to put in the hard work and training in the pool at the Olympic Games
The qualifying swimmers are going to travel to Europe for two training camps on either side of the Mare Nostrum Series. Their final holding camp, which is going to be in Monaco, is reported to have been set up by Princess Charlene, a former South African Olympic swimmer herself.
SA swimmer Cameron van der Burgh says that he thinks that SA swimmers will have nothing to complain about before and after the Olympic Games, because they have had the best opportunities to perform. "Now it is up to us to put in the hard work and training in the pool at the Olympic Games," adds van der Burgh.
It is however reported that SSA is facing a financial crisis and that negotiations are still underway with current sponsors Telkom.
