THE IASA are firm in their belief that at least four Irish competitors will travel to the Atlanta Olympics, even though as many as three of them could be still adrift of original qualifying targets.
The trust placed in the respective abilities of pre-selected Marion Madine and Earl McCarthy to improve on their percentages is commendable. It also sends out encouraging signals to such as Adrian O'Connor and Nick O'Hare, who represent a minority of two with realistic prospects.
O'Hare enjoyed last weekend's Leisureland international meet in Salthill. The 23-year-old Castleknock man, who described himself as a social swimmer five years ago, has made significant inroads since.
He is currently in Phoenix, Arizona, training in the company of top US squad member Gary Hill - Training with quality swimmers is a plus in my efforts to make it to the Olympics this year," says the Dubliner.
O'Hare's morale has been given a major boost in sponsorship by pharmaceutical manufactures Yamanpuchi (Ireland). The Phoenix clubman insists: "The biggest single difficulty that I have faced is the cost of supporting my training. Now I can get on with it without having to worry about financial matters.
O'Connor is still in the throes of searching for an acceptable qualifying mark, with undiminished hopes of success. He is likely to secure at least tour more chances to realise his aim at a recognised international long-course grand prix event.
He will go to Arizona for three weeks' altitude training starting on March 25th with other Irish squad members and will at the Austrian grand prix meet in Vienna in April and later in Shefield.
Two further bids at least will follow at suitably chosen meets by coach Ger Doyle. In between he will compete at the Ulster championships (short course) "to keep his speed up." Marion Madine will also compete in Vienna.
O'Connor believes the recent international meet in Leeds was very important for him. "My times were not 100 percent of what I wanted, but they were 90 per cent. They were good tough races and I feel I have it now." Coach Doyle remarks: "Adrian can rarely have been more positive. The two finals he won were hard fought."
Meanwhile, Michelle Smith's priorities are threefold - uninterrupted long-course training, a switch of training base from Dortretch in Holland to the US and choosing a suitable long-course meet, probably in Europe within a few weeks. It is possible that Smith will team up with O'Connor and Madine in Vienna, the scene of his greatest triumphs so far. Smith's inclusion here would prove a timely psychological boost for O'Connor and Madine.
Smith is now anxious to become re-acquainted with the specific demands of the 50-metre lengths in competition for the first time since her European successes last August.
