Aussies Will Stage at Auburn University Prior to 2016 Olympic, Paralympic Games in Rio

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

AUBURN, Alabama, June 5. THE Australian Swim Team will hold staging camps in the USA at Auburn University ahead of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.

Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said the finalisation of plans for Rio for both our Olympic and Paralympic teams is an important part of the planning and preparation process for 2016.

“Our performance staff have considered a number of options over the last 12 months and we’re pleased to be able to partner with the Auburn University Athletic Department for what is an important part of the final preparations for Rio,” said Anderson.

“To have these plans finalised more than two years out from the Games gives our coaches, staff and athletes a clear direction of what we are planning for Rio, and we are looking forward to working with the University over the next couple of years to ensure the camps are a success.”

Swimming Australia Performance Director Michael Scott, says Auburn will provide the ideal base to finalise preparations and then fly into Rio for the Games.

“Auburn itself, is an hour from Atlanta and is only a two hour time difference to Rio,” said Scott.

“We plan to stage both the Olympic and Paralympic swim teams in Auburn for around two weeks before travelling into Rio, and having recently inspected the town and facilities at the Auburn University Athletic Department the campus and city has everything we need.”

Olympian and former Australian Swim Team member Brett Hawke is the current Head Coach of the Auburn University Swimming program and Scott says the relationships and pool facilities will be a huge benefit to the team during their final stages of preparation for Rio.

“The facilities at the Aquatics Centre at Auburn University are world class,” said Scott.

“With two 50m pools and a state of the art gym on campus, as well as dining hall, all a short distance from quality hotels, the University will provide us with the ideal environment to complete our preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics.”

A dual Olympian for Australia from Sydney 2000 and Athens in 2004, and the current Head Coach at Auburn University, Hawke says the university community is looking forward to hosting both teams in the lead up to Rio.

“Auburn University is excited to host the Australian Swim Team as they prepare for the 2016 Rio Games,” Hawke said.

“Anytime we can offer our facilities to world-class athletes and showcase our program to others, we jump at the opportunity. We believe that the James. E Martin Aquatics Centre is one of the top facilities in the United States and we’re excited to partner with Swimming Australia to finish up their preparations for Rio.”

The Australian Swim Team for the Olympic Games is expected to go into camp in Auburn around three weeks before the Opening Ceremony on August 5, while the Paralympic team will stage a similar amount of time out from the Opening Ceremony on September 7.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com.

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