An analysis of Irish performances in last week's World Swimming Championships was well under way as the team and officials left Perth yesterday. The perception, at official level, is that, while little fault could be found in the physical ability of any of the four Irish competitors, there appears to be considerable room for improvement in the mental attitudes and strengths of our swimmers when exposed, in such heady surroundings, to the world's best. Irish competitors repeatedly claimed after competition that they were comfortable in their swims, in terms of stroke precision and timing, but were disappointed with their actual times.
National coach Ger Doyle was often surprised, and indeed disappointed, with times recorded by his swimmers in competition after he had watched them perform so convincingly during their preparations. "We will have to work towards a situation where our competitors are more relaxed in these circumstances," said Doyle.
Nick O'Hare and the O'Connor brothers, Adrian and Hugh, clearly failed to find their best form in their freestyle and backstroke races.
"They worked so hard to achieve their best, but it just didn't happen for them on the day," said Doyle. There is even a belief that Colin Lowth, whose heart-warming swims on butterfly provided the highlights of the Irish challenge, could have done better than breaking the Irish 200 metres record had his strategy been different.
The excellent Cormorant prospect may have erred in not going out a little faster. He was lying fourth at the 100 metres mark, before moving through the field smoothly to take first place in his heat in a time of two minutes 03.25 seconds.
Doyle defends what he terms "the absolute right" of the Irish swimmers to compete at this level. He has no time for the "knockers" who claim it is a waste of time and money that could be put to better use.
Lowth outshone his team mates again in the 100 metres butterfly when recording a personal best time (57.56 seconds).
Meanwhile, plans are well in train for the Leisureland international meet at the end of next month, from February 27th to March 1st. Michelle de Bruin will be the main attraction with the possibility of a European short course record attempt on the cards.
US stars Gary Hall Jnr and John Olsen have also confirmed their entries. Britain's Martin Harris and Mike Fibbins will also be there once more and a strong contingent of Dutch competitors are also in the line up.
Fund raising - the event cost £45,000 to stage last year - as well as negotiations with other potential star entries are on going.
With barely enough time to come up for air, many of the world's top swimmers were yesterday preparing for the short course World Cup Championships in Sydney - at the pool to be used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
