Swim Ireland is prepared to go into heavy debt rather than see its annual prestigious event, the Leisureland international meet, fall through due to the ongoing lack of Government support. The three-day event is fixed for the last weekend of this month and already a host of world class competitors have confirmed their availability to compete.

Last year's event, with a similar line-up of international stars, cost the then IASA over £20,000 to stage after Minister for Sport Dr Jim McDaid withdrew an £8,000 cheque which was to go towards defraying costs. The minister's action came in the wake of the latest child abuse scandal to hit the association, resulting in Derry O'Rourke's imprisonment.

Now, Swim Ireland will be looking to the private and corporate sectors for sponsorship. "The event is too important to the swimmers to let it fall through," said association public relations officer Claire Mulholland.

Teams from the US, Germany, Russia, Holland and Denmark are among the colourful entries. Included are Olympic and world medallists.

Jon Olsen, America's double gold medallist in Atlanta, and Alicia Peczak, Poland's World and threetime European champion, are set to spice up the entries. Dutchman Ron Dekker will be using the event to signal his retirement after 15 years at the top. Olsen has agreed to hold a clinic on the Friday morning for would-be champions.

The impact made by the lack of funding will be felt more severely this month than at any stage since the Government suspended its support. A cursory look at the competition calendar is ample proof of this with World Cup events listed per usual for Glasgow, Paris and Gelsenkirchen in Germany on successive weeks. The later event would not be a great attraction given that it clashes with the Leisureland gala, but Glasgow and particularly Paris have been a target for aspirants in previous years.

While the World Cup events are short course, competing at them a few months ahead of the European Championships would not be exactly a complete waste of time. The Grand Prix in Leeds on the 19th, 20th and 21st of this month will also be touched upon by a lack of funds and not competing at this level could certainly be put down as a backward step.

There is, however, no shortage of competition on the domestic front. The Connacht branch, Coca Cola-sponsored sprints and the Dave Page memorial galas are listed for next weekend. The Ennis invitational gala and the Ballinasloe event dominate the following weekend's activity with the Sunday's Well invitational and the Glenalbyn masters in opposition to the Leisureland meet on the last weekend of the month.

There are still opportunities, if not numerous, over the remaining three months for members of the national and elite squads to find European senior qualifying times. Nick O'Hare will be first into the action in this respect when he competes at the Luveck long course meet near Hamburg early next month. Short course times are not acceptable for the Senior Europeans which run from July 23rd-31st in Istanbul. Only two swimmers from any country per event will be permitted.