Klim on the Mend As Aussies Arrive at Singapore Training Camp

THE DOLPHIN DAILY #1…Official newsletter of Australia's Telstra Dolphins World Championship Swim Team for the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships, Fukuoka, Japan (July 16-29)

SINGAPORE, Monday, July 9. WORLD record-holder Michael Klim has arrived in Singapore for the Australian Swimming Team pre-World Championship camp, determined to launch a successful world title defense, despite his injured ankle.

Klim, one of the mainstays of the Australian team and the winner of two gold and two silver medals at last year's Olympics, damaged his ankle playing basketball in Canberra 10 days ago.

But the ankle is very much on the improve and he has declared himself a certain starter to defend his world 100m butterfly title, when the Ninth FINA World Championships begin in Fukuoka, Japan on July 22 (pool events).

Klim was declared the "Swimmer of the Meet" at the 8th World Championships in Perth in 1998 – winning seven medals – four of them gold.

The 23-year-old has confirmed that he did not suffer the injury "on a wet pool deck" but actually playing basketball on the AIS basketball courts during his normal warm up activities.

"It definitely wasn't on the pool deck, as has been reported," said Klim.

"It was just one of those unfortunate accidents that could happen to anyone and it came as part of my usual warm up routine on the AIS basketball courts."

Klim traveled well on the team’s eight-hour flight from Brisbane, under the watchful eyes of Australian team doctor, June Canavan and team physiotherapist Tim Brown.

"Michael is actually quite comfortable and it's great to see him walking so freely," said Australian head coach Don Talbot.

"So far so good – and it is just good to have him with us."

Klim missed the third and final Telstra Grand Prix in Brisbane on the weekend but will be in the pool on Tuesday when the Telstra Dolphins Australian Team have their first training session at the Changi Beach Swimming Club.

The Australian Open Water Team were the first to arrive in Singapore on Sunday night and team manager Tamara Bruce has reported the team of Hayley Lewis, Shelley Clark, Trudee Hutchinson, Herbert Ray, Leigh Bool and Mark Saliba have settled in well and will continue their preparations tomorrow before leaving for Fukuoka on July 12.

The World Open Water Championships will start proceedings at the Ninth FINA World Championships, with Hayley Lewis and Herbert Ray starting out in the 5km championship on July 16.

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