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Time 2020-10-23 04:03:26

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Swimming Australia has paid tribute to outgoing President John Bertrand AO as he departs the role at this week’s Annual General Meeting after seven years at the helm.The America’s Cup winning skipper and Olympic bronze medallist joined the organisation following the London Olympics and has worked tirelessly since that time to grow the sport at home and abroad and support its athletes.Swimming Australia Chief Executive Leigh Russell praised Bertrand for the commitment he gave to the role.“It takes great commitment, passion and care to take on the job of President in a sporting organisation and can often be a thankless task,” she said.“John fervently stepped into the role in the midst of many changes and uncertainty and embraced everything that came his way with such enthusiasm.“His quest for constant improvement and eagerness to always look outside the box is one of his greatest traits. You could say that his eternal search for the next ‘winged keel’ has been weaved into all that he has done and achieved at Swimming Australia.”Russell also thanked Bertrand for his leadership and passion throughout his tenure as President.“I think many would agree that John is possibly Australia’s most patriotic sporting President and we thank him for the leadership he brought to the organisation,” she said.“We also thank his wonderful wife Rasa – as with any role in sport, volunteer or otherwise, it’s also about the people behind the people and we have relished having Rasa as part of our swimming family.“I speak for everyone at Swimming Australia when I say, we wish John all the best in whatever comes next for him and we look forward to seeing him cheering loudly in the stands at our next quest for gold.”Bertrand said the role had been a huge honour for him.“It has been a real honour for me to have led Swimming Australia over the last 7 years,” he said.“Hopefully my legacy has been for our people to reach beyond what is considered best practice. But instead to fly higher, further, faster.“I am proud to have made a contribution to such an iconic sport”.Bertrand will officially finish his role this Thursday following the AGM. A new President will be confirmed following the November Board meeting.Swimming AustraliaLike this:Like Loading... Leave a comment Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty says he can go even faster and will target a new 100m world record at next summer s Olympic Games in TokyoAdam Peaty says the unique circumstances of 2020 with lockdown training and competition in the bubble of Budapest at the International Swimming League could actually be the trigger for yet another world record as he looks to defend his 100m breaststroke gold at the Tokyo Olympics next summer.Peaty, 25, is in Hungary for six weeks until November 22 racing for London Roar, in what is his first action since March. I m very grateful we can race but it doesn t come without its difficulties when you re in a bubble, he said. You re in your hotel room quite a lot but it s what it takes and I ve got five matches left to get going. The first match was good, I was really impressed by it and it s exactly what the sport needs. All you do is swim, train, swim, sleep, swim. Everything s about swimming. It also means Peaty is now basing his Olympic plans on the assumption that Tokyo 2021 will be a lockdown Games too, with another bio-bubble for athletes.He said: 100 per cent, no question about it. I can t see it going ahead without extreme procedures being in place like this. There s too many lives at risk, especially in Tokyo where the population density is so high and with an ageing population as well it s too much of a big risk. I m already preparing to be in full lockdown in a bubble and then get to my performance that way. If we prepare for the worst then if anything else better comes along, we re already winning. He s bullish about the prospect of smashing his own 100m world record of 56.88 set at the World Championships in Gwangju last year. I do believe that wasn t my final or my best form in South Korea, he said. There s always something you can improve on to go faster. I know there s a few tenths in there at least because South Korea was quite challenging in terms of the food, environment and my headspace back then. I know I can get faster. It s just when and where and hopefully that when and where is at the Olympics. Peaty is, however, again ruling out any notion that he might also attempt the 200m in Tokyo. Some of the Russian and Australian boys who are world leaders are up to 20kg lighter, he said. That s 60 strokes where I m carrying an extra 15kg. That will help in the 100m and allows me to have more strength and power. Simply if you want to push the boundaries of where the human body can go in the 100m, you stay at this weight. Peaty feels attempting the 200m would be a risk and says simply that s not good enough .All this after a 2020 of lockdown training, shifting goals and a postponed Olympics after a training pool was craned into his back garden.Yet Peaty thinks that the pandemic may actually have helped him. It does mess with your mind a little bit but I saw it as an opportunity to improve. I did a lot of cycling and weights in my gym and put a lot of weight on which is helping now because I ve lost that but kept the strength. Another thing may have helped. Fatherhood. Peaty became a dad last month to baby George with his partner Eiri. He says it s calmed him down and given him a little bit more perspective. It was the greatest moment of my life when I saw him come out, he said. I did shed a tear. I shed a tear too when I had to leave. But I am making sure that I do call every single day for a least an hour and read him a book before he goes to bed. Peaty says his baby son means he sees the world in a different way but the Olympic champion still remains totally focused on succeeding next year. I live and breath performance except when I m with my family, he said. It s almost like you have two personalities. You have your performance mindset and your home mindset. Ninety per cent of the time it s a performance mindset and it s obsessive. An addiction to that goal of becoming faster and better which is unhealthy sometimes, but a lot of the time it does get the job done. He s predicting a good Games in the pool too for Team GB because he thinks they go to Japan with depth for the first time, and with other medal hopefuls now looking to Peaty as a world-beating role model. The culture has completely changed because we ve had a shift of age. So I am now one of the veterans, one of the most experienced on the team. They look up to what you do and your attitude. There s no easy way round being the best athlete in the world and a lot of athletes are catching onto that and in turn their performances are getting better. Peaty has reiterated his desire for leisure centres to remain open for swimming pool access in the UK despite tier three coronavirus restrictions across northern England.Peaty says pool infections are extremely low and insists people rely on the leisure centres for their mental and physical health.The 2016 Rio gold medal winner wants public access to swimming to remain, despite the toughest government restrictions, so that people get their daily dose of fitness. I know as a swimmer what they put in the pools because it literally tears my skin away. When there s chlorine and special safeguards you can put in place you have to ask the question, is closing the leisure centres which are already struggling, actually going to do anything? By Jeremy Langdon | SkySportsLike this:Like Loading... Leave a commentTokyo 2020 volunteers are generally concerned about COVID-19 ©Getty ImagesA questionnaire conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has revealed that nearly 80 per cent of volunteers for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games have expressed concerns about COVID-19.The survey rolled out in August found that 79 per cent of volunteers were worried about the virus, while 49.3 per cent were concerned that the postponement of the Games would make people less enthusiastic.Forty-two per cent worried about physical capacity due to factors such as hot weather.Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo 2020 has been delayed by a year and the Olympics are now scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 in 2021.The Paralympics are due to follow between August 24 and September 5.More than 13,000 of the 30,000 City Cast volunteers took part in the questionnaire.On future training, more than 76 per cent of responders said they would like more information to ensure safe Games, such as on countermeasures for COVID-19 and hot weather.More than 58 per cent want more training on emergency response and 56 per cent want more information on tourism and transportation.Despite the status of spectators at the Games remaining unknown, 74 per cent said they were looking forward to the opportunity of communicating with fans.Sixty-seven per cent were anticipating the exciting atmosphere of the Games.This comes despite COVID-19 restrictions limiting fan involvement at sporting events in recent months – with most football leagues around the world being played behind closed doors.Meanwhile, the French Open tennis tournament only allowed 1,000 spectators into the grounds per day.In a previous July survey, around 66 per cent of volunteers said they were concerned about how countermeasures to combat COVID-19 would be implemented.Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission chair John Coates claimed in September that the Olympic Games will take place next year, with or without COVID-19.Michael Houston | Inside the GamesLike this:Like Loading... Leave a commentSpain s Antoni Ponce dominated at the World Para Swimming World Series in Berlin ©Getty ImagesSpain s Antoni Ponce produced a dominant display at the World Para Swimming World Series in Berlin as he won eight gold medals.Last year s individual World Series winner topped the podium in the men’s 50 metres breaststroke, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m medley and 400m freestyle.He contributed significantly to the 35 medals claimed by the Spanish team in total.Compatriot and six-time Paralympic medallist Sarai Gascon earned gold in the women s 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly, while 2019 world champion Jacobo Garrido added to Spain s tally in the men s 400m medley and 800m freestyle.The German capital hosted the second and final leg of the World Para Swimming World Series after the season was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Action was held with strict protocols in place at the Schwimm-und Sprunghalle in the Europasportpark (SSE), considered one of the fastest competition pools in the world.Elena Krawzow impressed for the hosts, earning three gold medals and clocking a new personal best in the women’s 50m breaststroke of 34.10secs, which may also be confirmed by World Para Swimming as a world record.With 16 swimmers, Poland had the second biggest international delegation behind Spain’s 19 athletes.Oliwia Jablonska was the main star in the Polish team as the reigning world champion won the women’s 400m freestyle.Arnost Petracek, the Rio 2016 Paralympic champion in the men’s 50m backstroke, dominated in the same race in Berlin to give the Czech Republic its only gold medal of the World Series.Brazil, Egypt, France, Slovakia and Switzerland were the other countries with representatives at the event.By Nancy Gillen | Inside the GamesLike this:Like Loading... Leave a comment The organisers of the annual Midmar Mile have confirmed that aQuellé will continue to be the title sponsor of the event, with the 2021 race dates scheduled for 13 14 February 2021.With preparations well underway and entries open, the Midmar Mile 2021 expects to draw its expected capacity with swimmers ranging from the recreational to the serious and some Olympic athletes.“We are incredibly thankful to aQuellé for the decade of support they have given us and what they have allowed us to achieve at the Midmar Mile each year. We look forward to our continuing partnership as we work hard towards our 50th anniversary event in 2023,” said Wayne Riddin, race director.Responding to recent media reports regarding the allegations against members of KwaSizabantu Mission, who own aQuellé, Riddin had this to say: ‘Nelson Mandela left us with a legacy in South Africa to abide by the constitution and treat everyone with respect and dignity. The South African Constitution and Justice system are founded on these and we must allow the judicial process to take its course. We are in full support of the KwaZulu Natal Premier to allow the Court of Law to pass the judgement before any action is taken.’Nico Bosman, director of aQuellé said: “We are delighted to be supporting South Africa’s premier open water swimming event and ensuring its legacy. We are also aware of the significant impact an event of this nature has on the local economy.”According to Riddin, ”The charity fundraising campaign within Midmar Mile 2021 is almost full and with entries having been open since February 2020, we can all look forward to a successful weekend next year that will stage a race of the world-class standard that we have all come to expect.”The 48th Midmar Mile is planned for 13 14 February 2021 at the popular Midmar Dam resort. You can visit www.midmarmile.co.za for full race and entry information.SuppliedLike this:Like Loading... Leave a comment Olympic Village (Photo: Rory/Photo ACTokyo)Since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games were postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, all eyes have been on Tokyo to see if the country is able to reopen safely – and in time – for the monumental sporting event next year. The organising committee has also talked about a scaled down version of the Games to cut cost as well as to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators.Now, according to Kyodo News, the Tokyo Olympic organisers are also considering equipping the athletes village with a health-centre catering exclusively to athletes and coaches who have contracted or suspected of having coronavirus.This coronavirus speciality clinic will be a separate entity from the village’s regular clinic. There’s also talks of having an independent coronavirus testing facility as well. The plans for this health centre could be discussed in detail later this month among the central government, the Tokyo metropolitan government and the local Olympic organising committee.The Tokyo Olympic village, located at Tokyo Bay, is set to host approximately 10,000 sportspeople coming into the city for the Games. On top of the potential health clinic, the organisers are also discussing implementing precautionary measures to curb the spread of infection around the village and the shared facilities.TimeOutLike this:Like Loading... Leave a commentDolphins all over Australiay will be taking part in virtual relay training time trials with bragging rights as Australia’s high performance swimmers look to keep the competitive juices flowing while COVID still prevents large scale swimming meets.Taking place in the Gold Coast (Bond University), Sydney (SOPAC), Adelaide (Marion) and Perth (HBF Stadium) athletes will be drafted into official teams complete with entertaining names and will compete in eleven relays, with a mix of Olympic events and other hybrid races.High performance athletes based in Melbourne will be participating in the testing portion of the activity at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, as elite sports training is still permitted under Victoria’s current restrictions.Swimming Australia National Head Coach Rohan Taylor said the virtual time trials provided many benefits.“Firstly, this is a great chance to bring our athletes and coaches together for race practise, foster engagement and ignite the competitive nature of everyone,” he said.“Providing constraints-based training challenges like this allows the athletes to practise skills in a situation different to their usual daily performance environment.“Most importantly, this is a fantastic opportunity for our athletes in a challenging year, I know everyone is looking forward to putting their skills on the line and experiencing race pressure.”Each virtual event will also have a technical support staff on site to capture data and film relay changeovers.“There are seven relay medals on offer in Tokyo, so they are an incredibly important part of our preparation for next year,” said Taylor.“This activity will allow us to collect data, have that data assessed and then take the results back to their home programs to assist in their next block of work.”Recognition will be given to teams and individuals that produce skills based constraint results as well as the top eight fastest splits in each race. The testing will be held over a single three hour session between October 22-26. Teams may enter up to two teams per event and will have coaches appointed for each team.DatesSydney – October 22Gold Coast – October 23Adelaide – October 23Perth – October 26Relay teams and coachesAdelaide Anacondas – Peter BishopWest Coast Wizards – Mick Palfrey/Will ScottSydney Sharks – Simon Cusack/Adam KableGold Coast Rockets – Michael Bohl/Chris Nesbit/Richard ScarceBrisbane Braves – Vince Raleigh/Damian JonesBrisbane Bisons – Dean Boxall/Chris Mooney/David LushEvents4x200m Freestyle (Men)4x200m Freestyle (Women)4x50m Medley (Men)4x50m Medley (Women)4x100m Freestyle (Men)4x100m Freestyle (Women)4x100m Medley (Mixed)4x50m Freestyle (Men)4x50m Freestyle (Women)3x100m Medley (Men)3x100m Medley (Women)Swimming AustraliaLike this:Like Loading... Leave a commentKira Toussaint won the women’s 100m backstroke as London Roar stormed to success in Budapest ©Getty ImagesLondon Roar continued their impressive start to this season’s International Swimming League (ISL) by winning their first match of the season by 217 points.A superb first day saw Roar open up a 97-point lead overnight and they picked up from where they left off at the Duna Area in Budapest in Hungary today.Their tally of 609.5 points emphasised their dominance as nearest rivals Iron finished on 392.5 with DC Trident third on 350 and Aqua Centurions propping up the group on 344.After sweeping the 50 metre freestyle events yesterday, Iron continued their fine run in the sprints with victory in the women’s 100m freestyle.Ranomi Kromowidjojo was the winner in 52.00sec as Roar duo Anna Hopkin and Marie Wattel came second and third respectively.DC Trident then registered their first victory of the day in the men’s 100m freestyle as Zach Apple cruised home in 45.70.Alessandro Miressi and Szebasztian Szabo secured podium places for Aqua Centurions.The women’s 200m freestyle was won by Iron’s Katinka Hosszu who finished in 2:07.04 – almost a second ahead of DC Trident’s Bethany Galat with Emily Large of Roar taking third spot.It was then Roar’s turn to claim victory as Vini Lanza won the men’s 200m fly in 1:51.75. His team-mate Andreas Vazaios also got on the podium, finishing third behind Aqua Centurions’ Leonardo de Deus.Lanza’s triumph was the first of a run of four victories for Roar as they continued their dominance in Budapest.Kira Toussaint won the women’s 100m backstroke in 56.24, Guilherme Guido came out on top in the men’s 100m backstroke in 49.89 and Maria Kameneva was victorious in the women’s 100m individual medley in 58.86.Their streak was ended by Iron as Marco Orsi saw off Roar’s Andreas Vazaios to win the men’s 100m individual medley in 51.69.Roar did not take long to get back to winning ways as Marie Wattel secured the women’s 200m freestyle in 1:54.65.This was then followed by a victory for Roar’s Duncan Scott when he won the men’s 200m freestyle in 1:42.74 – two hundredths of a second ahead of DC Trident’s Apple while Aqua Centurions Breno Correia came third.Kromowidjojo was triumphant again in the pool, this time winning the 50m fly in 24.74 as her team-mate Melanie Henique came second.Aqua Centurions Szabo then claimed the men’s 50m fly in 22.00 before Roar clinched back-to-back wins in the 100m breaststroke.Alia Atkinson won the women’s race in 1:04.21 before Adam Peaty produced a solid swim to win in 56.38.The mixed 4 100 freestyle relay was won by a DC Trident team consisting of Apple, Robert Howard, Margo Geer and Kylee Perry in 3:18.82.They finished 0.26 ahead of Roar with Aqua Centurions coming home in third.Hosszu secured her second win of the day for Iron as she kept her unbeaten record in the women’s 400m individual medley intact, winning in 4:30.52.Iron then claimed a one-two in the men’s 400m individual medley with David Verraszto finishing in 4:04.25 ahead of Leonardo Santos in 4:07.90.Roar then wrapped up the day with victories in the 50m backstroke skins with Kameneva taking top spot in the women’s race and Christian Diener winning the men’s competition.By Geoff Berkeley | Inside the Games Tatjana Schoenmaker (Twitter)The South African National Short Course Swimming Championships will kick off behind closed doors on Saturday, 24th October 2020 and will conclude on Tuesday, 27th October 2020.Swimming SA hosted Regional Short Course Championships, which were held around the country from 26th-27th September 2020, and due to the lockdown regulations at the time, only 50 participants were allowed per event.Following the country’s move to Alert Level 1 lockdown regulations, the Federation selected the top ten swimmers from each region and invited them to participate in the SA National Short Course Championships, which will be held at the Seals Swim Centre in Pietermaritzburg.Stiff competition is expected when 200 of the best swimming talent go head-to-head, with Tatjana Schoenmaker, who set a new African Record in the 200m breaststroke during the Regional event, racing against Kaylene Corbett and Christin Mundell in the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke events.Schoenmaker will also tackle the 200 and 400m freestyle, as well as the 200m individual medley, where she will be up against Rebecca Meder and Aimee Canny.Erin Gallagher will swim her favorite 50 and 100m butterfly and add the 50, 100 and 200m freestyle races, while Samantha Randle will participate in the long distance 800m freestyle, as well as the 200 and 400m individual medley, the 400m freestyle and the 100 and 200m backstroke.Matthew Sates will take to the water in an impressive ten events, the 50 and 100m butterfly, the 50m breaststroke, the 50, 100, 200 and 400m freestyle, as well as the 100, 200 and 400m individual medley.Sates will challenge Douglas Erasmus for the 50 and 100m freestyle, the 50m breaststroke and the 50m butterfly titles, while Erasmus will take on Pieter Coetze and Clayton Jimmie in the 50m backstroke.Swimming South Africa CEO, Mr Shaun Adriaanse said that the Federation is very happy to host their first major National competition after the Lockdown effected by the COVID-19 pandemic.“The COVID-19 pandemic enforced lockdown regulations affected all South Africans, including our sports men and women. For swimming in particular, it is important to provide our athletes with this platform to showcase their performances as well as providing them with an opportunity to qualify for the FINA World Championships, which will take place in December 2021 in Abu Dhabi.“We wish all our athletes good luck and very importantly, perform well, enjoy yourselves and stay safe.” concluded Adriaanse.Supplied by Swimming South AfricaLike this:Like Loading... Leave a commentOlympic gold medal winner, Penny Heyns posed next to her portrait during the opening of the new Sport Medical Centre at Loftus Park in Pretoria. | Picture: THOBILE MATHONSI African News Agency ANAPenny Heyns knows all too well how important it is to build a personal brand on an international level. Now the legendary swimmer is on a mission to help South Africa’s aquatic athletes unlock commercial opportunities in the build-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.“As a former Olympic champion, I can firmly attest the fact that although building your profile as an international athlete is important, the true value will be evident as you pursue your post-pool career.“Today’s athletes are blessed with the potential that technology affords them. They are able to focus on their performances in the pool while also making sure their brands are well looked after.”Heyns has teamed up with rugby legend Bryan Habana to help South African swimmers and other aquatic athletes build their international profiles.The double Olympic gold medallist, and the World Cup-winning Springbok star, recently announced a partnership to enhance the marketability of all aquatic athletes with less than a year to go until the Olympic Games.The pair will work together on rolling out MatchKit.co to Heyns’ aquatic network; giving athletes a platform to further commercialise their brands.Matchkit.co is an international mobile web app, developed to help athletes maximise the commercialisation of their careers. Heyns says the partnership will give aquatics athletes a much needed boost.“I got in touch with Bryan after hearing of the platform of his agency Retroactive,” says Heyns. “Bryan had a stellar career in rugby and I could relate with the challenges that come after your playing days. I love the product. I think it is genius what the platform provides for athletes. Coming out of a sport such as aquatics, with many of our Olympic medals coming from the pool, it is important to try and give our athletes support. Some of the world’s, and indeed South Africa’s, greatest Olympic athletes are swimmers.“These athletes may enjoy icon status within the aquatics world with a huge social media following, they are still from a Cinderella sport with few enjoying the exposure and sponsorship opportunities deserving of their sporting performances.The 45-year-old stressed the importance of growing one’s own personal brand given the “new normal”. “Swimmers like Chad le Clos and others might be icons with a huge following on social media, but they still won’t have the same earnings as other sporting celebrities.“I thought Matchkit would afford our aquatics athletes, in fact all of our athletes, to put together a seamless platform where potential sponsors could get a good idea of their digital following, influence and reach. It opens up the opportunity for them to build their brand. During a time of Covid-19, it has become even more important for athletes to use technology and the tools within their reach to open up commercial opportunities. The commercial space has really suffered and every bit of help to gain an advantage is needed.”Matchkit allows athletes or their agents to build a mobile website in minutes that integrates all of their social media accounts giving data such as digital reach, influence and engagement.“It showcases their sponsors and comprises a built-in inbox for athletes or agents to receive commercial briefs,” says Heyns.“Athletes can accept payments for their own foundation or a charity of their choice. It has a hassle and fee-free, plug and play merch store to sell branded caps, hoodies, T-shirts or personalised voice notes / videos.“This platform packages your digital reach onto one space which makes it easier for athletes to sell and commercialise their brand.”South African aquatic athletes in particular battle to build their brands, says Heyns. “I don’t think someone like Chad le Clos, despite his achievements, would get the same mileage as a Wayde van Niekerk in the commercial space. We have other athletes like Tatjana Schoenmaker, who also has a great online following. It does not translate to sponsorship. Swimming is a Cinderella sport, we are not part of the top three like rugby, soccer and cricket.“Athletics, bar some of the high-profile stars, has always struggled to attract lucrative sponsors and instead of relying solely on backing from federations, athletes have to start taking their future into their own hands. We have to make the most of technology and maximise opportunities.”Heyns believes that Matchkit will give aquatic athletes the ability to seamlessly integrate their respectivesocial media accounts.“As we get nearer to the Olympics, you will find a lot of brands on the lookout for potential associations. Having that Matchkit.co platform will make it easier for our athletes to market themselves and to get financial and brand backing ahead of the event.”The mobile app will be of particular help to aquatic athletes in SA who face a number of challenges, says Heyns.“South Africa has a lot of talent in the pool, but we don’t have the greatest opportunities. Those opportunities can be made available to our swimmers if they want to go on scholarship to the US, which is something I highly recommend. We also know funding is a problem and this extra tool will go a long way in ensuring our athletes can give their careers the best opportunity of succeeding.”Despite the challenges they face, like a lack of financial support by sports federations, Heyns has high hopes for South Africa’s aquatic athletes at the upcoming Tokyo Games.“I feel excited to see our swimmers preparing to perform on the greatest stage of all. South Africa has always produced world-class performers and the up-and-coming talent is sure to keep that trend going in Tokyo and beyond.“Chad le Clos and Tatjana Schoenmaker have very good chances of podium finishes. After not having female swimmers in Rio, Tatjana has handled herself exceptionally well on the international stage having won silver at the World Champs last year.Hopefully next year we will see her rising to the occasion. “But anything can happen in the pool on the day. Even in my own career; you can go in as the defending champion or record-holder and not even make it past the heat stages.“All in all, I am very excited about our prospects.”The Saturday Star

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