Australians hope to better Rome's 4 gold-medal haul
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AT the last World Aquatic Championships in Rome two years ago, Australians won just four gold medals; a disappointing result for one of the acknowledged strongest countries in the sport.
In one week when the 2011 event begins in Shanghai, Australian head coach Leigh Nugent expects his 45-strong team to improve on that total, but by how much he's not willing to say.
"I've got an idea of what I expect, but I'll keep that to myself for now," Nugent said yesterday.
"I've just reviewed the rankings, and we are positioned much better this year than last year, and that's good to see. In the end, it's what we do when we get there."
The squad features Beijing Olympians Stephanie Rice, winner of three gold medals in 2008, Eamon Sullivan, Brenton Rickard, Leisel Jones and Alicia Coutts and five new names including Olivia Halicek, a surprise winner in the 50-meter freestyle on the final night of Australian trials.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe plans to be at the London Olympics next year but is not eligible for Shanghai because he can't compete for nine months while undergoing drug testing.
The results from Shanghai will provide a good guide to medal prospects for London, with Australia to test itself against the traditionally powerful Americans, including Beijing eight-gold wonder Michael Phelps, and a strong Chinese team with home pool advantage.
"We'd like to get a lot of swimmers in the top five, particularly the top eight," Nugent said. "We know from historical records that to be in the top five one year out, they're extremely likely to win medals or be in the finals at the Olympics. So Shanghai is a very important meet for us."
In one week when the 2011 event begins in Shanghai, Australian head coach Leigh Nugent expects his 45-strong team to improve on that total, but by how much he's not willing to say.
"I've got an idea of what I expect, but I'll keep that to myself for now," Nugent said yesterday.
"I've just reviewed the rankings, and we are positioned much better this year than last year, and that's good to see. In the end, it's what we do when we get there."
The squad features Beijing Olympians Stephanie Rice, winner of three gold medals in 2008, Eamon Sullivan, Brenton Rickard, Leisel Jones and Alicia Coutts and five new names including Olivia Halicek, a surprise winner in the 50-meter freestyle on the final night of Australian trials.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe plans to be at the London Olympics next year but is not eligible for Shanghai because he can't compete for nine months while undergoing drug testing.
The results from Shanghai will provide a good guide to medal prospects for London, with Australia to test itself against the traditionally powerful Americans, including Beijing eight-gold wonder Michael Phelps, and a strong Chinese team with home pool advantage.
"We'd like to get a lot of swimmers in the top five, particularly the top eight," Nugent said. "We know from historical records that to be in the top five one year out, they're extremely likely to win medals or be in the finals at the Olympics. So Shanghai is a very important meet for us."
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