March 14, 2006

COMMONWEALTH GAMES SWIMMERS MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS

Commonwealth Games update – after arriving and settling into Commonwealth Games Village yesterday, the Jamaican Swim Team had a two good training sessions at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). With one full day of training remaining, Coach Jackie Walter was happy with the swimmers preparation. The swimmers are on target with their training pace times and have adjusted to the time difference and environment in Australia.

The outdoor MSAC pool, which is covered by a large tent, is considered fast with comfortable water temperature, despite the wide ranging air temperatures ranging from a cool 10°C to a high of 26°C.

After the Opening Ceremony which will be held tomorrow evening, the swimming competition will dive into action on Thursday Morning Australia time, with Jamaican’s competing in three (3) events. First off the blocks will be Tamara Swaby in the Women’s 50 M Butterfly. Seeded 23^rd with a time of 29.78, Swaby will have to improve her PB to about 28.00 to make the semi-finals.

Alia Atkinson will be next on the blocks and will swim the 200 M Individual Medley and 50 M Breaststroke seeded 12^th (2:25.04) and 13^th (33.40) respectively. Making the 200 M IM final is a distant possibility with the 8^th seed at 2:19.16, but Atkinson should advance to the 50 M Breaststroke semi-final with the fastest 16 going through.

Hamilton does not dive into action until Friday March 17 when he swims the 50 M Butterfly.