XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece-Austin and Bristol aim to improve Seychelles' times |12 August 2004

THE final start lists for the Olympic Games swimming programme are expected to be ready on Thursday and Friday. The decision will be taken after a closed meeting for National Olympic Committee team managers later today in the press conference room of the main pool of the Olympic Aquatic Centre.

During Thursday's meeting, team managers will discuss entries and determine withdrawals with the Fédération internatione de natation (Fina) technical delegates.

Seychelles' representatives in swimming are Shrone Austin and Bertrand Bristol, who both did not qualify to compete in Athens.

Entered in the 200m breaststroke, Sportslady of the Year Austin has said that she expects to better the Seychelles record in the pool of Athens' Olympic Aquatic Centre.

"I haven't done anything worth noting in terms of record this year and I'm ready to shatter the Seychelles record of 1 minute 17.44 seconds which I set during last year's Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) in Mauritius. I aim to clock 1:15," said Austin, 15, who noted that everytime she comes across star swimmers, it sends shivers down her spine.

Austin, who prefers swimming the 800m freestyle but cannot take the start of the race in Athens because she has to swim a short distance since she did not qualify, added that training has been going on well under coach Paul Fanchette.

A total of 48 female swimmers are expected to take the start of the 200m breaststroke.

On Monday August 16, Bertrand Bristol will take the start of the 200m butterfly race.

His Seychelles record over the distance is 2:09.54 and was clocked during the African Swimming championship in Egypt in 2002.

This year, precisely on July 17, Bristol clocked 2:09.68 and his time is the slowest amongst the other 41 swimmers who have so far registered for the 200m butterfly.

With swimmers like American world record holder Michael Phelps (1:53.93 clocked on July 23, 2003 in Barcelona, Spain), American Olympic record holder Thomas Malchow (1:55.35) in Sydney, Australia in 2000) and Frenchman Franck Esposito (1:54.70), to take the start of the 200m butterfly races, Bristol took a while before giving his impressions.

"Looking at the names of all the big stars kind of send adrenaline into my veins and I'm determined to do a good time and avoid finishing last.

"Like Phelphs, Esposito and the others, I'm a champion in my own right and I'm not afraid to swim in the same pool and the same race as theirs. I'm ready to defend my country's colours," said 22-year-old Bristol.

It is to note that 18-year-old American Michael Phelps hopes to swim off with eight gold medals in all four strokes - butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke over distances from 100 to 400 metres as well as in three relays.

Meanwhile Seychelles National Olympic Committee (Snoc) president Antonio Gopal arrived in Athens, Greece on Tuesday afternoon.

Gopal, along with young participants – female Laser sailor Beth Gertrude and male swimmer Steven Mangroo – sailing head of delegation Alain Alcindor and team leader Hebetty Alcindor, arrived in the Greek capital for the XXVIII Olympiad three days after the country's first contingent.

Boxer Kitson Julie is also in Athens after having trained in Cuba and Tunisia.