England Preparing for Commonwealth Games

LONDON, England, February 21. ENGLAND’S swimmers will undergo their final preparations ahead of next month's Commonwealth Games when they depart for the sunshine of the Gold Coast, Australia. The majority of the 26-strong squad leaves for Australia on Saturday where they will spend two weeks fine-tuning race preparation at The Southport School – British Swimming's offshore training center.

The sun-drenched outdoor facilities of Southport will be a far cry from the wintry weather British-based athletes are used to at this time of year and the camp will give them ample opportunity to acclimate to conditions that have produced temperatures as high as 43 Celsius in recent weeks. Defending champion James Gibson is looking forward to sampling the summer environment Commonwealth nations such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have enjoyed throughout their preparation.

"Getting out there two weeks before will give us ample time to (acclimate). Coming from the cold, damp weather we've been having into the sunshine Australia enjoys at this time of year will lift everyone," said the 50 breaststroke champion. "For me, the main thing is to finish of what I've started in relation to my training. It will also allow us to taper down our workload as we rest up ahead of the Games. It's a chance to relax before going into Melbourne and facing the might of the Commonwealth nations."

Gibson's preparations this winter have been ideal and, whereas some athletes suffer illness as a result of the weather, the Loughborough-based swimmer has been fortunate.

"Training has gone very well. I haven't missed a session and I've been working hard," Gibson said. "The mileage has been put in and these next weeks will be a case of getting myself mentally ready to race."

It will be Gibson's second Commonwealth Games after he enjoyed the benefits of the home crowd support Manchester offered in 2002. Australia, with the world's strongest women's, will reap the same advantage this time around as it enjoys the support of a nation which holds swimming as one of its most popular sports.

"It's going to be a huge challenge facing Australia with the home support behind them. These Games will be tougher than ever before with that in mind and taking into account the strong teams that South Africa, Canada and New Zealand will have in Melbourne," Gibson said.

For 12 of the squad of 26, it will be the first time they have experienced the Commonwealth arena and for some it will be their first ever international event. One of those sampling the caliber of competition for the first time is City of Birmingham's Terri Dunning. However, she will have gained valuable experience from coach Adam Ruckwood who is himself a former Commonwealth Champion.

"I'm really excited. It's my first major meet and it will be even more special swimming in Australia where the sport is number one," said Dunning. "It's the chance of a lifetime to swim against the strongest women's team in the world in their own country. The atmosphere will be amazing."

For Dunning it will be familiar surroundings at The Southport School as the 20-year-old has used the facility before while warm-weather training.

"It's an amazing facility. I was there training in 2002 and couldn't believe the quality of the set up,” she said. "My training is going very well. I've been working hard with my coach and know that I'm as well prepared as I'm going to be.”

Southport is also hosting the Welsh squad's final preparations and the team arrived there at the beginning of the month in time to witness an impressive Australian Commonwealth Games Trials where four new world records were set.

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