Alicia Coutts Eyeing World Champs Spot Despite Post-Olympic Struggles

ADELAIDE, Australia, April 25. ALICIA Coutts is attempting a spot on Australia's Barcelona World Championship team, despite thinking about quitting swimming following the London Olympics, as reported by The Age.

Instead, the five-time London Olympic medalist is staying positive going into the first day of prelims for the Australian Nationals and World Championship Trials. Prelims begin in several hours' time.

“I went through a little bit of a patch where I was like, 'I don't know if I want to swim any more',” she told Australian media. “I think mixing it up and doing those things has sort of made it a little bit more enjoyable, and getting out and doing some different events has made it more fun and not so serious.”

However, Coutts refuses to commit herself to any long-term goals. “I'm not committing myself. I'm not saying I'm going to 2016 [Olympics]. I'm just taking it as it comes and as long as I do keep enjoying it and keep swimming, well then, I'll keep swimming.”

Coutts won five medals at the 2012 Olympics, including silver in the 200 IM and bronze in the 100 fly. She's swimming seven events at the Australian nationals, with an eye on a heavy slate of events in Barcelona.

There are reports of Coutts being involved in a verbal altercation with a teammate back in January at a swim meet in Perth. Coutts has not publicly stated who the teammate is, but did confirm that she will be steering clear of him or her should they both make the Australian World Championship team competing this summer in Barcelona.

“…I'm just going to forget about it […] I think collectively the team is trying to work better to be a group.”

Read the full story at: www.TheAge.com.au/sport

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use