The idea of using the British ASA championships and Olympic trials in Sheffield at the end of the month as a last chance for Irish swimmers to enhance prospects of selection for Sydney has been ruled a non-runner. Instead Swim Ireland await reaction from the Olympic Council of Ireland to the "probables list".

In contrast to the set-up in Ireland where "A" and "B" standard times are the targets, the winners at the Sheffield trials, the finals of which are confined to British competitors, are entitled to an Olympic place.

National coach Ger Doyle says that "A" standards for our swimmers are "too far removed from reality". FINA's original introduction of "A" standard times was to facilitate a nation's second swimmer to compete in the same event. The times attained by members of Ireland's probables, currently under consideration by the OCI, do not include an "A" standard time.

Freestyler Chantal Gibney and butterfly aspirant Colin Lowth come closest and Emma Robinson reached the final of the 50 metres breaststroke in the recent European Championships in Helsinki. Meanwhile the spotlight turns to Dunkirk for this month's European Junior Championships from July 27th to 30th. Deirdre Hughes of Mullingar is the latest recruit from the provincial areas to make the breakthrough at this level.