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LORD OF THE RINGS: Kyle Chalmers welcomes the return to the pool in SA.Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).<\/p><\/div>\n

And that means that pools have started to welcome elite squads with the likes of Rio Olympians Kyle Chalmers<\/strong>\u00a0in South Australia and Brianna Throssell<\/strong>\u00a0in Western Australia among the first to take the plunge.<\/p>\n

The Sydney Morning Herald<\/em> has reported:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cSlowly, the doors are being opened again for swimmers in top squads, with Peter Bishop’s<\/strong> group in Adelaide (which includes Olympic champion Chalmers) now allowed back into their Marion base as long as they abide by strict protocols, which limits groups to 10, ensures they observe social distancing measures and allows only one swimmer per lane.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a move that will give some encouragement to the other top squads around the country, most of which continue to be exiled from their home pools until the varying states take the brakes off some of the measures currently in place.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Bishop told the Sydney Morning Herald<\/em> main concern for his swimmers was that they would lose some of their touch through the water, saying the chance to return has come as a huge relief, even if there are no meets on the calendar and little to aim at until the schedule is clarified.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s been fantastic. The swimmers have loved the actual feeling of getting back in the water and being able to swim in a pool of some substance,” Bishop said.<\/em><\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve tried to find different forms of exercise over the (COVID-19) break including trying to get into the water in some way, whether it be a backyard pool or the ocean if the weather was good. We had access to one of those jet pools, which helped.<\/em><\/p>\n
“It was quite interesting when we went through all the threats and opportunities, one of those was losing their feel for the water and their technique. To get back into a decent-sized pool has been an absolute joy.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Chalmers had been in career best shape in March at the NSW Championships with superb performances not only in the 100 and 200m freestyle but also the 100 and 200m butterfly as he mounts his challenge to take on US superstar Caeleb Dressel<\/strong> in next year\u2019s postponed Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n
There 22-year-old has thrown down the gauntlet with some of the most impressive performances of 2020 but like the rest of the world will have to set his sights on 12 months time.<\/p>\n
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BLACK LINE FEVER: Brianna Throssell back in the water in WA. Photo Courtesy: lan MacNicol<\/p><\/div>\n
And in WA elite athletes are also back in the swim as of today (Saturday, May 2) with a report in the West Australian<\/em> newspaper confirming that with restrictions of one swimmer per lane at the HBF Stadium, the elite squad are back training: welcome news for Rio Olympian and World Championship relay gold medallist Brianna Throssell.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Throssell, coached by Mick Palfrey<\/strong>, said it was a relief and an emotional boost to be able to get back in the pool.<\/p>\n
“Just hearing that information isa the absolute highlight of the last six weeks…I have never been so excited to wake up before the sun rises and follow a black line in my life,” Throssell told Steve Butler.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Swimmers headline Centenary of a glittering Australian Olympic Committee history<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tuesday, April 28<\/h4>\n
Tomorrow April 29, marks 100 years since the Australian Olympic Committee<\/strong> (AOC) was founded\u00a0with Australia’s swimmers playing an inspirational role in its glittering history.<\/p>\n
Originally formed as the Australian Olympic Council on April 29^{th<\/sup>, 1920, the anniversary marks the formal separation of Australia and New Zealand from the combined \u201cAustralasia\u201d entity which had competed in the 1908 London and 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.<\/p>\n}
In 1920, the first Australia-only Team competed in Antwerp then in August 1923, the Australian Olympic Council changed its name to the Australian Olympic Federation \u2013 an identity it held until June 19, 1990 when it was re-named the Australian Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n
AOC president John Coates<\/strong> says Australia shares the distinction of being represented at every modern Olympic Games, along with Greece.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe owe a great debt to our first Olympian, Edwin Flack<\/strong> who was studying accountancy in London. He was granted leave before travelling to the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 where he won gold in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events. We owe an equal debt to whoever granted that leave,” Mr Coates said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince that first Games, Australia\u2019s representation has grown, as has our nation\u2019s status as a consistent top-10 nation in medal tallies. This reflects the great and very important passion for sport shared by Australians. In all 3,988 Australians have become Olympians.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Olympic Games have always been about the athletes and Australians have lauded their Olympic heroes. There are too many to do justice to but their achievements are captured in the annals of our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Coates cited the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games and the Sydney 2000 Games as the high points.<\/p>\n
\u201cA home Games is something special for athletes. Not only did Melbourne and Sydney put on a great Games, our athletes rose to the occasion to inspire generations,” he said.<\/p>\n
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Legendary coach Harry Gallagher with 1956 Olympic champions Dawn Fraser and Jon Henricks. Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia.<\/p><\/div>\n
The names are synonymous with Australian sporting legend \u2013with swimmers Dawn Fraser, Murray Rose, Jon Henricks, David Theile, John Devitt<\/strong> and Lorraine Crapp<\/strong> along with track queens Betty Cuthbert<\/strong> and Shirley Strickland<\/strong> emerging in \u201956.<\/p>\n
And in Sydney, where swim stars\u00a0Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett, Susie O\u2019Neill<\/strong> and track legend\u00a0Cathy Freeman<\/strong>\u00a0along with the men’s 4×100 and 4x200m freestyle relay teams and team sports with gold in women\u2019s water polo, equestrian eventing and women\u2019s hockey amongst those stealing the show.<\/p>\n
“Sydney saw Australia’s largest-ever team of 628 athletes, winning a record 58 medals. It stands as a beacon. Importantly, during this time the Australian Olympic Committee was able to secure its lasting independence and financial independence,” said Mr Coates<\/p>\n
“Since the creation of the Australian Olympic Foundation in 1996, boosted with an injection of $88.5 million in 1998 because of Sydney\u2019s hosting success, the prudent management of the Foundation\u2019s funds has secured the AOC\u2019s financial future.”<\/p>\n
Monday, April 27<\/h4>\n
Mediterranean Games Pushed Back A Year To Start In June 2022<\/h3>\n
The Mediterranean Games<\/strong>, which were due to start on 25 June 2021 in Oran, Algeria, have been pushed back a year to 2022.<\/p>\n
Organisers announced the 19th edition of the Games will now be held from 25 June-5 July 2022 to avoid a clash with the Olympic Games in Tokyo which have been pushed back a year to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
A statement was released which read<\/a>:<\/p>\n
“The decision was based on the following principles:<\/p>\n
“1. to protect the health of the Athletes and everyone involved in the Mediterranean Games,<\/p>\n
“2. to ensure the best possible preparation of the Athletes, the participation of the top Athletes of the Mediterranean basin and the highest interest of the Games, in a period when no other major international sports event are planned,<\/p>\n
“3. the global international sports calendar,<\/p>\n
“4. the strong will of the city of Oran and of Algeria to deliver to the Mediterranean sports family excellent Mediterranean Games.<\/p>\n
“The Organizing Committee \u201cOran 2021\u201d have decided that the 25th of June 2022 will be dedicated to the opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games and that the closing ceremony of the Games, on 05 July 2022, day that coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Algeria, will be the best opportunity to organize a brilliant event, with symbolism for the entire Mediterranean basin.”<\/p>\n
The switch makes for more congestion in the 2022 calendar with the European Championships in Rome running from 11-21 August with the World Championships expected to be rescheduled that same year although no date has yet been announced.<\/p>\n
The World Athletics Championships are being held in Eugene, Oregon, from 15-21 July followed by the European Championships in Munich, Germany.<\/p>\n
Olympic and three-time world champion Gregorio Paltrinieri,<\/strong> 2019 world 50 free silver medallist Kristian Gkolomeev<\/strong>, Mireia Belmonte<\/strong>, 200 fly champion at Rio 2016, and Simona Quadarella<\/strong>, who won 1500 free at last year’s World Championships<\/strong> in Gwangju, South Korea<\/strong>, were among the gold medallists at the 2018 edition in Tarragona, Spain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Bosnian Junior Champ Shows off Makeshift Backyard Training Setup<\/h3>\n
Coping with training restrictions during quarantine isn\u2019t easy. The solution for Bosnian junior champion Iman Avdic<\/strong> is creative, to say the least. From Reuters:<\/p>\n
The 13-year-old Avdic is training in a 3×2-metre pool which sits in a greenhouse in her grandfather’s garden. Clad in a wetsuit, she swims while tied to a bungee rope to hold her in place.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The images from Reuters are compelling<\/a>. Avdic, a Sarajevo native, has headed to her grandparents\u2019 house in the rural town of Doboj in the north of the country. She trains with her father and coach, Evelin Avdic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
“It is all kind of odd for me but everything can be done like before but in a slightly different way. It’s easy for me to adapt but I miss a real pool,” Iman Avdic told Reuters.<\/p>\n
Per Swimrankings.com<\/a>, Avdic holds numerous Bosnian girls age-group records, in 12-and-under and 14-and-under competition. She swims for PK Sport Time Sarajevo<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Scottish Swimming Lay Down Keepy-Uppy Challenge With Duncan Scott<\/h3>\n
Duncan Scott<\/strong> and Scottish Swimming<\/strong> have laid down a challenge for people to beat the three-time world relay champion at table tennis keepy-uppies.<\/p>\n
Scott managed 160 in 47 seconds – chosen because of his 100m free British record of 47.87secs – and the governing body called on people to #ChallengeDuncan.<\/p>\n
Finlay Maguire, of Inverleith ASC in Edinburgh, Scotland, managed 105 in the allotted time while using a tennis racquet – all within the rules.<\/p>\n
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Ready for some #MondayMotivation<\/a>?<\/p>\n
We've teamed up with @Dunks_Scott<\/a> to create a series of weekly challenges. The challenges aim to keep the body and mind sharp, timed with a twist. <\/p>\n
Can you #ChallengeDuncan<\/a>? Check out what's involved and send us your best attempts! pic.twitter.com\/HT24XIrICn<\/a><\/p>\n
— Scottish Swimming (@ScottishSwim) April 27, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n