Great Britain’s Cook Sidelined with Groin Injury

LONDON, June 7. DOUBLE Commonwealth Games champion Chris Cook has been forced to pull out of British Swimming's Mare Nostrum tour after he injured his groin just two days out from the start of the action. The injury comes as a massive blow to the City of Newcastle swimmer, winner of the 50m and 100m breaststroke at this year's Melbourne Games, who was looking forward to continuing the kind of form that has delivered numerous honors over the past 12 months.

And Cook's injury is just the latest to be suffered by some of Britain's medal hopes as they continue to prepare for this year's European Championships in Budapest. Cook's name is added to that of David Davies (City of Cardiff), who is recovering from a foot infection, Jo Jackson (Durham Aquatics), who has stayed away from the Mare Nostrum due to a back complaint, and Liam Tancock (Loughborough University), who will compete this week for the first time since breaking a wrist six weeks ago.

The timing of Cook's injury could not have been worse with his main focus of the summer season just around the corner. He'll now face the fine balancing act of doing all he can to repair the damage without risking further setbacks.

"I'm going to have to work so hard for it to be right for Budapest which is just eight weeks away," said Cook. "Not only is it going to be a very difficult meet and a particularly strong battle in the breaststroke events, the meet also qualifies you for the World Championships next year. There's so much riding on it and it's a huge blow to me to be in this position. I just pushed off the wall in training yesterday and felt it go. The strange thing was I was just about to get out of the water but thought I'd put myself through a few more turns to tighten things up and then it just went."

Over the past two years Cook has emerged as Britain's top breaststroke swimmer, so the timing of his injury is particularly cruel. However, the 26-year-old is in no mood to feel sorry for himself and will show the same level of determination to return from injury that he has used to become one of the world's most respected breaststroke swimmers.

"I was really looking forward to getting involved on the Mare Nostrum tour but there's simply no chance now," said Cook, speaking from Canet, France. "I'll be leaving for my home in the UK. I need to be there as soon as I can to try to repair the damage but it's a shame because the Mare Nostrum are great meets."

Cook believes that by remaining positive he will be able to overcome adversity quickly and without leaving too many scars, yet it's a bitter pill to swallow after all of the hard work shown and sacrifices made.

"Like everything in life I believe it's happened for a reason,” he said. “It's going to focus me on other aspects of training, as I won't be able to work on my kick until my groin heals, so therefore it could be good for other areas of my stroke. You have to remain positive. Since the Commonwealth Games and the success I experienced I've just been so motivated. Standing on that podium was amazing but it's made me want even more of that and I've been back in the water ever since to try to make that happen. I've never felt so good about my swimming, it's been new ground for me. It's so refreshing to come back from a major meet and be itching to get back into the water. I've not looked back since and have been training hard which is why this injury is such a massive blow."

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