British Swimming confirm World Student Games particiation

Rising Stars Summer Sports Post a comment

Posted: Saturday 14th March 2009 | 10:29

DENNIS Pursley, British Swimming's new head coach, has revealed he will definitely be sending a team to the World Student Games this summer.

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos cited a hectic schedule as the reason to avoid sending a track and field team to Belgrade in July.

But Pursley, who was appointed head coach in October after 14 years in charge of the USA's swimming team, is adamant the competition provides an experience not to be missed.

Speaking at the launch of a new £15 million sponsorship deal between British Swimming and British Gas, he said: "We will certainly be sending a team to the World University Games this year.

"I think the chance to get some multi-sport event experience is vital to a young swimmers progression and there are certainly more benefits to going then there are to stay at home.

"Even the veterans only get the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics to experience this, so I think any additional practice is good."

In recent years at the Universiade, Great Britain's swimmers have excelled. Matt Clay and Darren Mew claimed bronze last time out, with Andrew Hunter claiming silver.

Liam Tancock also claimed gold in 2005 and Pursley believes the competition could throw up some new faces in time for London 2012.

"We've got a lot of young up-and-coming talent and hopefully some of these could progress to feature in 2012," added Pursley.

"Science can only tell us so much - it can tell us who is the most likely to win a race but when it comes down to it, experience and practice at these events is where medals are won and lost."

NICK CLOWES