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Search forSwansea pool to make splash at Olympics
Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 08:00
The Wales National Pool has just been awarded Intensive Training Centre status by British Swimming, which will see it become a breeding ground for swimmers going for gold in the London 2012 Olympics.
The Sketty Lane facility is one of just five Intensive Training Centres in the UK, capable of offering world-class daily training environments to develop the finest swimming talent in the country.
Welsh swimmer David Davies, who goes for gold in the 10k open water race in the early hours of tomorrow, trained at the pool before taking bronze at the Athens Olympics.
The other ITCs announced by British Swimming are at the University of Bath, University of Stirling, Stockport and Loughborough University, making Swansea Wales's only ITC.
Jane Draper, Wales National Pool general manager, said: "This is testament to the quality of the Wales National Pool and the dedication of our staff who have worked very hard to achieve this.
"Britain's performance in the pool in Beijing has been outstanding and the ICT network will help us build on this. We already have a crop of Olympic and Paralympic athletes whose training regimes are centred here, and now we are set to welcome the cream of UK swimming.
"As an Intensive Training Centre, Swansea will be nurturing some of the best young swimming and coaching talent in the UK."
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "The Wales National Pool has already has a huge impact on raising the profile of Welsh swimming and this will bring us to the next level.
"This is the only ITC in Wales and a real coup for Swansea and South West Wales."
Earlier this year, the pool was named as one of 31 facilities across Wales that have been designated Pre-Games Training hub accreditation by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
Professor John Baylis, pro-vice-chancellor, with responsibility for sport at Swansea University said: "The Wales National Pool is unquestionably one of the UK's most impressive swimming venues and we're delighted this has been recognised with the award of ITC status. "This status is an important development for the city and the university, reflecting the first-class facilities we have on offer, including high-quality accommodation for athletes on the university campus."
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