England Ready for Commonwealth Games

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 15. TEAM England's swimmers go into the Commonwealth Games tomorrow off the back of a preparation camp that has delivered readiness and relaxation in equal measure. While Head Coach Ian Turner appreciates the challenge faced by his swimmers is massive against a strong Australian squad buoyed by a nation's support, he's nonetheless confident his swimmers will do themselves justice over the next six days in Melbourne.

Turner, on the eve of the Games, has revealed how pleased he's been at the progress made, the work ethic adopted and how the team has evolved over the past two-and-a-half weeks in Australia.

"The mood of the Team England swimmers is very positive. It really is one of expectation," said Turner. "We've selected a team from some very tough qualifying criteria and although we realize that medals here in Australia will be very difficult to come by we'll be in there to seize every opportunity we can."

England's swimmers flew into Melbourne on Sunday following a two-week preparation camp on the Gold Coast. They utilized a 12-lane, outdoor, 50-meter pool at the impressive Southport School which has become a home-from-home for England's swimmers over recent years and is in fact an offshore center for some of Britain's top male athletes.

"It's been a very stress free holding camp for us on the Gold Coast," said Turner. "This has been achieved thanks to The Southport School facilities which are very familiar to the majority of the squad. The camp was a relaxed affair while the athletes fine-tuned their preparation and I'm sure we'll reap the benefits of this when the Games begin. Personally, I'm delighted with the way it's gone. I've had to coach my own group while observing others but everyone seems focused on the tasks ahead and eager now to get involved."

Turner has warned, however, that medals in Melbourne for visiting nations will be a rare commodity and certainly from Team England's perspective there will be no repeat performance of the medals gained in Manchester four years ago when home support had a massive effect.

"What we gained four years ago will go against us in Melbourne. You really can't put a price on the support of a host nation but it's massive," said Turner. "What we're going to see at these Games is an extremely strong Australian team, especially the female half of the program, enjoying that immeasurable support. In saying that, there will obviously be opportunities in the middle distance events and we'll endeavor to make the most of those.

"However, Australia won't be the only tough opposition. In South Africa, Canada and New Zealand we have three impressive and emerging nations we must compete with. Add to that strong individuals from the other home nations and it makes for an exciting and competitive Games.”

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