IRELAND'S swimmers face a big test of character when they compete in the first British Grand Prix after the 1996-97 season in Leicester tonight.
This short course (25 metres) involves a 14 strong national squad plus eight individual entries, including 14 year old Lee Kelleher, of Cork.
Whether Michelle Smith's success has rubbed off on her team mates will be tested when Ireland's "world ranked backstroker, Adrian O'Connor, takes on the deflated Adam Ruckwood.
The 22 year old Birmingham man, widely tipped for an Atlanta Olympic medal, was almost three seconds outside his Commonwealth record in the US. Ruckwood, 6ft 4ins and 13 stones, admitted: "I've asked myself frequently - was I good enough.
O'Connor will be able to put Ruckwood's self confidence to the test at the three day Speedo event with all eyes on selections for the European championships in Seville next year.
