Swimming Australia To Unveil Major National Events Program With State Associations

POOL OF DREAMS: Heads up for Cate Campbell at the Sydney Open at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Photo Courtesy Swimming NSW

Swimming Australia in conjunction with its State Associations is preparing to unveil a major domestic competition program to simulate the intensity of international racing in the lead up to next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

The National Events competition program will become a crucial part of the Dolphins racing schedule before and after next June’s Olympic Trials – which are again expected to be at the SA Aquatic And Leisure Centre.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Brisbane Aquatic Centre – home of the Queensland State Champion ships since 1981. Photo Courtesy: Hanson Media

The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre – hosts of the NSW State Championships and the Sydney Open Meets – is also expected to play a key role in the National Events scheduling.

As will three Commonwealth Games venues – Melbourne Sports And Aquatic Centre (2006); the Brisbane Aquatic Centre (1982) and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (2018) along with the HBF Stadium in Perth.

COVID-19 will almost certainly put a stop to international travel for Australians over the next 12 months.

Swimming Australia’s High Performance strategist, dual 1984 Canadian Olympic gold medallist Alex Baumann has revealed the calendar has already been shared with his elite band of coaches.

Baumann said one of the remaining issues centred around the finalisation of venues – but he revealed today they were close to making an announcement.

”Given that everything has shifted for 12 months, I think what’s very important is for Australia to have a strong domestic calendar,” said Baumann.

“We really don’t know when we will be able to travel internationally again.

“I really think those (international) competitions will be few and far between so what we are trying to do is align all our competitions with the States and the National body.

“This will ensure we have competitions on a monthly event basis …that will simulate that intensity that we really need going in to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. “

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Annette Rose

3 years ago

Lisa Guthrie-Quinn

Tabatha Gibson

3 years ago

It would help if kids were able to train again with a coach.