South African Olympic Swimming Team Named; Roland Schoeman Set to Make Fourth Games Appearance

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 7. THE South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee on Wednesday named the athletes who will compete at the London Olympics across many sports, including a 16-member swimming squad.

On the list is Roland Schoeman, who will be attending his fourth Olympic Games after a months-long effort to qualify for the meet. Schoeman got under the FINA automatic qualifying time in the 50 freestyle at the Olympic Trials with a 22.08 in semifinals then conformed to South Africa's stringent qualifying rules by posting a 22.06 at a sanctioned meet in Phoenix. Schoeman swam in the 2000 Olympics but was very successful at the 2004 Games, where he won a medal of each color (gold in 400 free relay, silver in 100 free, bronze in 50 free). He also competed in the 50 free finals in the 2008 Olympics.

Darian Townsend, one of the members of the gold medal-winning 400 free relay in 2004, will be attending his third Olympics. Townsend participated in the semifinals of the 200 IM in Beijing, as well as both freestyle relays. Townsend is slated to swim the 200 free and 200 IM, as well as both freestyle relays, in London.

Chad Le Clos is lining up for potentially four individual events and as many as three relays in London: 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM and 400 IM. This will be his first Olympics.

Other swimmers of note include Jean Basson, who will swim the 800 free relay after placing fourth in the 200 free at the 2008 Olympics; Wendy Trott, who will look to make the final of the 800 free after placing ninth in the event in 2008; and Cameron van der Burgh, who was 10th in the 100 breast in the 2008 Olympics but has won bronze in the event at the past two world championships.

Full roster:

Jean Basson, Charl Crous, Heerden Herman, Chad le Clos, Gideon Louw, Kathryn Meaklim, Graeme Moore, Karin Prinsloo, Sebastien Rousseau, Riaan Schoeman, Roland Schoeman, Leith Shankland, Darian Townsend, Wendy Trott, Suzaan van Biljon, Cameron van der Burgh.
Manager: Shawn Adriaanse
Coaches: Graham Hill and Igor Omeltchenko

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