Autralian Commie Games trials

[Steve]

Ian Thorpe swam 3:40.54 to win the Austalian 400m trial earlier today - just 0.37 outside his world record. Looks like he's in form again :rolleyes:

full story (http://www.swimming.org.au/meets_and_results/news_item.cfm?ObjectID=754&NewsID=6490)

[Bazza]

I love the enthusiasm in the media there. Apparently Ian Thorpe 'SMASHED' his Australian All-comers Record (by 0.05), which over 400m isn't particularly massive, but there we go. It looks like he's in clean-up mood again.:(
Sorry I just had to make a post while these blue smilies are avaliable.:D

[swimbabe]

Some of the depth in Aussie swimming is not as good as you might think when looking at these current Trials results. If you take away their superstars (Thorpe, Hackett, Klim etc) are they actually any better than Britain? I would say no, in fact they are probably worse (in depth terms) and about on par with someone like France or Sweden. Britain's trouble is, and has been for a long long time, a lack of any real superstars to give the sport a much needed boost and profile lift.

[Bazza]

I would agree with that statement. If, for example, you look at times to make semi finals and finals, they are surprisingly similar to those swum at British National Champs and Trials. I don't know if this is supposed to make us feel better or not? :confused:
I guess maybe the point is that thier very best swimmers are a level above ours, which is frustrating. We do have some high profile swimmers, but swimming has a much higher profile in Australia anyway, and that's one of the problems. It's a cultural thing I guess. :mad: