MICHELLE SMITH has shelved any immediate plans for competition and will continue with her training schedule at her base in Kilkenny.
The triple Olympic gold medalist competed long course, with satisfaction, in Belgium recently and does not consider follow-up competition crucial, at this stage, even if she finally decides to compete in the European championships in Seville in August.
"I am happy to concentrate on my training at present," she said. Her approach at the moment is to "make sure" that, if she does decide to compete in Seville, she hasn't got to qualify, she will be in a position to crank up a necessary gear or two, without any pressures, to be ready for her opponents at the top of the rankings.
"You lose valuable training time and travelling to meets abroad at a time when it is not necessary can be a mistake rather than attending to your daily training routine," she said. "I am happy with my times at the moment although there is a bit to go yet," she added after another morning training session at the Kilkenny pool yesterday.
What effect does her presence continue to have on young local aspirants at the provincial short course pool where she trains in a specially provided lane four hours per day? "Ah, they are getting use to me now," she quips.
The Irish selection committee deliberated and apparently finalised its team for the European championships at the weekend, white smoke is curiously not visible as yet. Also under review is the team for the European Junior championships in Glasgow (July 31st to August 3rd). The concentration of events for the younger set towards the end of July makes competitive decisions difficult for some. The European Youth Olympic Days event, fixed for Portugal (July 19th-23rd), overlaps the Irish Open national tests in Belfast (July 22nd-26th) which are in awkward close proximity to the Junior Europeans.
A team of six is likely to be named for these demanding tests. Graham Beegan of Cormorants and Lee Kelleher (City of Cork) are the likely ones set to produce noteworthy performances.
Both of these talented competitors were finalists last year. The raising of the age limits could see them really benefit this time round.
Kelleher is among a five strong line-up of top Irish competitors named for this week's Scottish national Open championships starting tomorrow in Glasgow.
Kelleher could be poised for an impressive medal take at this important juncture of her career. She is named for freestyle (50 and 100 metres) butterfly (50, 100 and 200) and backstroke (100 and 200). Individual medley aspirant Joy McGlynn is likewise expected to do well while James Hand Mark Craig and John Paul Williamson are also in line for good results.
Coach for the Glasgow trip is Peter O'Brien with Rose McGlynn as team manager.
Swedish automotive group AB Volvo said yesterday it would stop sponsoring the show jumping and dressage world cups at the end of next season.
