Our resident Australian Swimmers have head off to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Cutting some final laps in the Valley Pool before departure Saturday evening is Christian Sprenger, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Bronte Campbell. Missing in the photo is Cate Campbell who is also in preparation zone.

 

I had a 5 minute pool side coffee with Australian coach for Commercial Swim Club, Simon Cusak, who appears very cool, calm and collected before a big month ahead of swimming competition.

 

Without much prompting, Simon gives me a rundown on their travel plans.

 

“We leave 9pm Saturday night, first stop off is Dubai and we head straight to Manchester for a week of R & R and training before arriving in Glasgow by bus. It’s a little over a 4 hour drive from Manchester to Glasgow. We’ll be based at the Commonwealth Games Camp from Thursday 24th July and my guys have up to 40 swims between them”.

 

I wanted to know if any of the swimmers are disorganised with their travel and Simon assures me “they are all well prepared and are used to travelling together.” I asked what the overall vibe is whilst training and competing, “Basically there are no highlights. The idea is to keep things relaxed.” Simon says.

 

So if you think an Australian swimmers life is all party and paparazzi, think again, it’s all head down and bum up. Simon lays it down “No one will attend the opening ceremony and after their final race they board the next plane out of Glasgow to prepare for the Panpacifics in the Gold Coast”

 

We wish Christian, Cate, Bronte and Tommaso the very best as they represent Australia in Glasgow and we look forward to seeing them back at the Valley with loads of medals.

 

Nadia Stamp - Valley Pool Brisbane