DUAL European champion Michelle Smith is among a broadening group of Atlanta bound competitors trying to acquire some information on the current standards of their Chinese counterparts.
FINA, the world governing body, were to be informed of the relevant times attained in the Chinese Olympic trials but, even these have not, as yet, been made available.
It seems that either FINA are not too pushy in this respect or, the Chinese Federation, known to enjoy certain privileges in other important areas of the sport, are being secretive.
As Smith enters into the final phases of her preparation, she is naturally just a little curious", but is still focused on her own training.
Smith's impressive 100 metres breaststroke performance in Dortrecht recently appears to have enhanced her 400 individual medley potential and world standing more significantly than was first realised. And a time of 1:10.75 represents an improvement of almost five seconds.
Meanwhile, hopes of 11th hour Olympic call ups linger on for some Irish competitors, not least Adrian O'Connor of New Ross. He is a dedicated performer who remains in pursuit of a qualifying mark despite breaking his national 200 metres backstroke record in Vienna at the weekend.
O'Connor completed the 200 metres in 2 minutes 04.80 seconds and won the 100 metres backstroke in 57.9 seconds. He will be making his final attack on the elusive 200 qualifying mark at the British super finals in Sheffield from May 24th-28th.
It is interesting to learn of Gina Galligan's progress in the US. The talented Dublin teenager didn't make the Barcelona Games but by all accounts, she is showing scope for improvement and is capable of a B qualifying standard.
Twenty five members on the National Squad programme were in attendance at the recent NCTC in Limerick and the first SOS referees workshop held in Dublin recently, is to be followed up by another in Galway on Saturday, June 15th.
The cancellation of the Cardiff international Meet has proved a blessing in disguise for the organisers of this weekend's Leinster championships at the Guinness pool it means that elite squad competitors like Hugh O'Connor, Chantel Gibney and Daragh Sharkey can now turn their attentions to the tests. The senior winners will compete as a team in the Scottish National championships in Edinburgh in June.
