Canadian swim team prepares in Singapore for Commonwealth Games

Canada’s swim team will travel to Singapore in the next days for an eight day preparation camp for the Commonwealth Games that will run from the third to the 14th of October in India.

The squad comprised of 27 strong swimmers is planning to polish their skills prior to its arrival in Delhi on the 30th of September.

Toronto native, and world record holder, Annamay Pierse will spearhead the team at the Games and she believes they will serve as good preparation for the 2012 Olympics in London.

“It’s another great opportunity to race against some of the best in the word,” said Pierse to Asian News Service.

“On top of that, I’ve always wanted to go to India, so I’m really excited to represent Canada at the Games.”

After the good performance that Team Canada had during the Pan Pacific Games in California, Swimming Canada announced the list of swimmers that will be participating in Delhi.

CEO and national coach Pierre Lafontaine expressed his excitement about the performance of the team.

“[The] swimmers have demonstrated great Canadian pride over the past weeks,” said Lafontaine. “We have had strong medal performances at the Pan Pacifics and the IPC Worlds, while also seeing many of our swimmers are knocking on doors, to make that extra step onto the podium.

“It’s quite an exciting time for Swimming Canada as we head into the Commonwealth Games and the second half of the quadrennial.”

The team will also feature Tobias Oriwol who trains at the Toronto Swim Club with coach John Rodgers.

Oriwol, an Olympic and national team member, came back from retirement last January stating he really missed the sport.

Athletes’ village not ready for the Games

President of the Commonwealth Games Dr. Andrew Pipe has confirmed Tuesday that Canadian officials have been closely watching the alarming situation concerning the conditions of the athletes’ village prior to the event.

With less than two weeks to go until the Games begin, the village is not even close to being completed according to Scott Saunders, who coaches Carline Muir, Canada’s 400-metre sprint champion.

Pierse, on the other hand, seemed to be confident the organizers will have everything ready by the time of their arrival.

“The CGC staff will ensure everything comes together and runs as smoothly as possible,” said Pierse to the Edmonton Journal.

“It’s true, I’ve lived in places where they’re not up to scratch, but you know what, you’re there to get on the blocks and as long as there’s water in the pool, then you can pretty much do what you went there to do.”

About this article

By: Cecilia Olmos
Posted: Sep 22 2010 12:30 am
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Filed under: Swimming
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