Australian Dolphins: Celebrating the joy of swimming
09/08/2022 | Written by Nikos Kaskaras in Fun & Games
It was a month to remember for the many lovers of swimming across the country. Late August saw the closing of a ten-day Swim Festival in Sydney that amazed thousands of passionate fans. What's even better? The “party” will continue with the SwimCON conference later this month and will conclude in December with the FINA World Swimming Championship.
Celebrating the joy of swimming
The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC) was the stage of action and more than 8000 people packed it to celebrate the joy of swimming. At the weekend of August 19-21, there was a revival of the Duel in the Pool event that woke great memories. It has been seven years since the last Duel in the Pool took place back in 2015, a long time for sure. The event started in 2003 as a showdown between the two leading world swimming powers: Australia and the USA. It was taking place every two years and attracted the interest of more than a million TV viewers.
Its current revival signalled the upgrading role of Swimming Australia – the peak governing body for competitive swimming in the country- as this was the first time that was held in Australian territory. Another innovation was the first-time inclusion of open water and para-swimming events. There was a combined mix of both traditional and non-traditional events that started with an open-water relay at Bondi Beach before continuing at SOPAC. It was a nip and tuck contest that finally saw the US athletes prevail. It was tight and exciting though, leaving all the participants and viewers greatly satisfied.
The Australian Short Course Championships and SwimCON
The Duel in the Pool event was not the only one held in SOPAC. In a busy period, it also hosted the Australian Short Course Championships as well as the SwimCON Conference. Short Course Championships are the country's top-rated meets with historical roots that go back to 1896 when the first edition took place in Sydney again. From the 24th to the 27th of August more than 700 swimmers competed in the landmark games of Australia providing excitement and healthy competitiveness. This time 26 international visitors participated in the competition. This was also a great spectacle for the viewers that followed the rich swimming tradition of the country. Again it was not the only one. Action in the pool was preceded by the planning of experts at the SwimCON Conference that took place on the 20th and 21st of August. The gathering and interaction of the leaders of the swimming industry of Australia was a fruitful event. Participants included FINA Executive Director Brent Nowicki, Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins, Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Matt Carroll and Paralympics Australia CEO Catherine Clark.
High expectations
The activity regarding the world of swimming in Australia is nonetheless not over and there is still more to come before the end of the year. The next SwimCON conference is scheduled to take place in two weeks, this time at Gold Coast at Sea World Resort
As you can see in the link the swim coaches and Teachers of Australia will have the opportunity to hear the thoughts and experiences of figures such as the Paralympic multi-medal-winning swimmer Marakye Jonkers and the Sports psychologist Lisa McInnes-Smith.
This will not be all, as the last notable event of the year will be the short Course Championsips Championships that will take place in Melbourne in December. The Australian Dolphins team will be really strong at these games with the participation of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Emma McKeon, the world record holder Minna Atherton and the swimmer of the year and world champion Mollie O' Callaghan. It is a highly anticipated event that will, no doubt, keep the spirits of the whole swimming activity high.
All those races, events and activities indicate the upbeat mood of the post-lockdown era and show that life and hope will always beat fear and stagnation. Swimming represents this kind of positive spirit that fits with the summertime mood!
