THANKS to some prudent action by the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), in pre selecting Marion Madine and Earl McCarthy to join Michelle Smith for Atlanta, the IASA have rarely been in a better situation at this stage of the run up to an Olympic Games. It is expected that the team will be extended to a minimum of four competitors which will also include Adrian O'Connor of New Ross.
Judging by his initial long course, bid in the British Grand Prix meet in Cardiff at the weekend, O'Connor is optimistic about his chances, of meeting the qualifying time for 100 metres backstroke.
The OCI are to be commended for grasping the nettle and naming two competitors who have yet to attain qualifying times.
But a lot of swimming has yet to be done, and many points to be proven along the way, before the numerical strength of the Atlanta squad is finalised. Competitors who will continue to campaign for Atlanta inclusion, rather than those pre selected, can be expected to hog the limelight over the next couple of months.
O'Connor is now the sole competitor, of those on the original Olympic probables' short list, awaiting the nod. His final engagement in the World Cup short course season in Sheffield last week, when he became the first Irish swimmer to break two minutes for 200 metres backstroke (1.59:7), is largely indicative of his current form and capability.
24 year old O'Connor, a student and part time lecturer at the Waterford RTC, has been one of the most consistent Irish competitors in almost a decade. His potential to improve is beyond doubt, a fact heavily underlined in Cardiff with an morale boosting time of 57.86. There was reassurance too of O'Connor's fitness level in the 50 metres freestyle B final which he won in 25.4 seconds.
O'Connor's coach, Ger Doyle, considers his performances in Cardiff as highly significant in his first long course outing of the season. "From the point of view of the Olympic qualifying times the 100 time is more reachable. At present he is only marginally over two per cent adrift of the 56.62 qualifying mark. If he betters his Irish record in the coming weeks he would be within that two per cent."
Should O'Connor manage this, very attainable feat, it would put him on parity with two of the three swimmers already selected. O'Connor is totally committed to eclipsing his best times and putting the disappointment of non selection for Barcelona behind him as soon as he can. Nick O'Hare and Colin Louth, a medal winner in Cardiff, are thinking along similar lines. O'Connor's brother Hugh and Munster prospect Lee Kelleher were also Cardiff medal winners in the age group section.
The IASA will not be lacking in support of their swimmers according to secretary Celia Millane: "The moment they do the business we will be pressing their claims with the Olympic Council."
Doyle, a principal on the IASA Technical Committee is hopeful for O'Connor's chances. He will tackle it again in two weeks time at a Grand Prix meet in Leeds. His plan from Leeds is to go to a training camp at altitude with the national team in Flagstaff, Arizona. Vienna will be the next port of call for the Arena sponsored meet."
