By Roxanne Millar
WYNDHAM could rate a mention at this week’s FINA World Championships if South Africa’s swim team is successful.
The 14-strong team called the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre home from 8 March to 20 March during their preparation for the international swim meet.
Team manager Rushdee Warley said the group used the pool to acclimatise to Australian conditions before moving into the city to continue preparations.
He said Australia’s relay team could expect a serious challenge from South Africa’s “awesome foursome” men’s team, which broke the 4x100m men’s relay world record at the Athens Olympics.
Sprinter Roland Schoeman has been guaranteed a place in the men’s team, while Karin Prinsloo, Keri Shaw and Chanelle van Wyk have all be confirmed in the women’s team.
South Africa is fielding three relay teams, which they hope will all go on to glory at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the London Olympics in 2012.
Mr Warley said 19-year-old breaststroker Thabang Moeketsane was also primed to add to his 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal haul.
“We certainly have some good up and coming swimmers,” Mr Warley said.
“Thabang is a fantastic breaststroker and we have some Commonwealth Games swimmers.”
Before heading to Wyndham, the team trained in Cape Town where trainers used modern technology, psychologists and biomechanics to help the team progress.
“They’re doing very well,” Mr Warley said.
