Australians Tessa Wallace, Samantha Hamill Withdraw From FINA World Short Course Championships

SYDNEY, Australia, November 19. COMMONWEALTH Games silver medallists Tessa Wallace and Samantha Hamill have both withdrawn from next month's FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships in Dubai due to injury.

Wallace, who won a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke in Delhi behind triple Olympian Leisel Jones, has been struggling with a knee injury all year, while butterfly and individual medley specialist Hamill has a shoulder injury.

Wallace had her knee operated on after this year's Australian Championships in March, while Hamill who took silver in the 400m IM in Delhi has an inflamed bursa joint in her shoulder which needs rest and treatment.

Swimming Australia National Head Coach Leigh Nugent says while it's disappointing Tessa and Sam won't be joining the team in Dubai, their priority is to be fit and ready to race in April next year at the Telstra Australian Championships and selection trials for the FINA World Championships.

"Tessa broke through onto the Australian team this year, and has progressed well over the last six months, swimming at the Pan Pacs, Junior Pan Pacs and in Delhi. She will be looking to continue that form into the World Championship trials next year," said Nugent.

"Her priority is to recover from the injury, keep fit and keep developing as an elite swimmer."

"For Sam Hamill, who broke through in 2008 to make the Olympic team for Beijing, she has had a big year of completion in Australia, Europe, America and then Delhi, and it is important she manages this injury well to optimise her recovery and preparation for 2011."

A tyro on the Australian team for the Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games this year, 17-year-old Wallace is coached by her father Jon Wallace, who was also due to travel with the team to Dubai, however his place on the tour will now be taken by City of Perth coach Matt Magee.

The 27-strong Telstra Dolphins Australian Swim Team for the FINA World Short Course Championships, including Commonwealth Games gold medallists Geoff Huegill and Leisel Jones, will depart Australia on Singapore Airlines on Wednesday 8 December for a three-day staging camp in Singapore, before heading to Dubai on Saturday 11 December.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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