Swim Ireland held a seminar for their elite Swim squad of 15 athletes , coaches, support staff and parents at the Carlton Blanchardstown Hotel at the weekend.
The sessions were led by Performance Director Peter Banks and CEO Sarah Keane. The OCI’s Stephen Martin and Martin Burke updated the group on their recent visits to London Olympic Village and Aquatics Centre, timelines for pre Games access to the Olympic pool, test events, performance and casual clothing, and Olympic Qualification process for the Irish Team. Irish Sports Councils and Institutes also contributed to the event demonstrating their commitment.
The key words from the seminar sessions were “open and transparent”……. and “unity of purpose between all agencies” in supprt of the Swim Ireland programme. Later,Michael Carruth inspired the group when he shared his Barcelona 1992 Olympic Gold Medal experiences.
Stephen Martin said, “It was a great opportunity post World Championships to meet in particular the overseas athletes such as Barry Murphy and Ryan Harrison and their coaches and for the whole group to hear first hand how Swim Ireland and the various agencies are assisting in their quest to assist them qualify and perform to their potential at major Championships including the London 2012 Olympic Games”
Swim Ireland used the rest of the weekend to sit down individually with swimmers and coaches to review and plan ahead for 2011/12.
Athletes in attendance included Beijing Olympians Andrew Bree, Aisling Cooney, Mel Nocher; and Grianne Murphy, Sycerika McMahon, Clare Dawson, Fiona Doyle, Barry Murphy, and Ryan Harrison.
