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Swimming News - 2007/10/15 23:50
MANAUDOU OUT OF WORLD CUP
Dual freestyle world record holder Laure Manaudou has withdrawn from the French delegation competing in next month’s FINA / ARENA Swimming World Cup presented by Telstra at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Manaudou had been on the original entry list sent to Swimming Australia for the two day meet on November 2-3 but organisers received word of her withdrawal last night. No further information was given.
The French starlet’s withdrawal negates a prospective showdown with rising Australian middle distance / distance freestyle stars Bronte Barratt and Kylie Palmer but the Telstra Dolphins duo will still have plenty of competition in the 2000 Olympic pool.
Part of the Great Britain squad for the short course competition will be Caitlin McClatchey and Joanne Jackson who won gold and silver ahead of Barratt (bronze) and Palmer (fifth) in the 400 metre freestyle at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. McClatchey also won the 200m freestyle on the first night of the Games, upsetting pre-race favourite Libby Lenton.
Since then the Australian pair, who train under veteran mentor John Rodgers at Albany Creek in Brisbane, have come on in leaps and bounds with Barratt breaking both the long and short course Commonwealth records in the 400m and Palmer smashing the short course 800m mark in recent months.
Joining Barratt and Palmer on the blocks in Sydney will be local stars Grant Hackett, Leisel Jones, Libby Lenton and Kenrick Monk, while 26 other countries will also be represented.
The Sydney leg of the World Cup is the third on the seven stop tour with meets also contested in Durban (Oct 19-20), Singapore (Oct 27-28), Moscow (Nov 9-10), Stockholm (Nov 13-14), Berlin (Nov 17-18) and Belo Hirozonte (Nov 23-25).
Tickets for the Sydney event are selling fast and can be purchased by visiting the Ticketek website or calling 132 849. Prices range from $5 to $29. Heats and finals daily.
SEEBOHM TO SKIP SINGAPORE LEG
In other World Cup news, backstroker Emily Seebohm has withdrawn from the Australian team to contest the Singapore meet after suffering from minor illness over the last few weeks.
A decision was made between Seebohm, her parents, coach Matt Brown and National Head Coach Alan Thompson that it would be better for the 15-year-old to concentrate on returning to full training and her scholastic endeavours at this time.
The Brisbane schoolgirl still plans on competing at the Sydney meet.
Meanwhile, Southport Olympic coach Glenn Baker has been added to the Dolphins touring team to contest the three meets in Europe. Baker will accompany Thompson and five swimmers including his own charge, Andrew Lauterstein.
Telstra People’s Choice Award
The race for the title of Australia’s favourite swimmer is on with last year’s winner Leisel Jones nominated alongside Craig Stevens, Jessicah Schipper, Matthew Cowdrey, Kate Brookes-Peterson, Brenton Rickard, Eamon Sullivan and Libby Lenton for the Telstra People’s Choice Award nominations.
Members of the community can vote for one of the eight nominees by sending an SMS to 1999 POOL (1999 7665) with the name of their favourite swimmer followed by their full name. Alternatively votes can be cast online at www.beinvolved.telstra.com. Voters have the chance to win some amazing prizes including a great home entertainment package. Voting closes on 3 November 2007.
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