SPLASH OF GOLD

Aussie swim team coup: Tobruk Pool to host Olympic hopefuls’ training

CAIRNS’ revamped Tobruk Pool has struck gold with the nation’s best swimmers set to train at the facility in their bid for medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Six Olympic and Paralympic training camps will be held at Tobruk in a three-year deal between Cairns Regional Council and Swimming Australia.

THE Australian Dolphins swim team has new home waters – Tobruk Memorial Pool.

A three-year deal – 18 months in the making – between Cairns Regional Council and Swimming Australia will mean the Tobruk Pool will be used for six Australian Olympic and Paralympic training camps for the Tokyo Olympic Games between now and 2020.

Both teams will also use the warm weather venue at the Tobruk Pool in 2020 before their staging camps in the Japanese city Nagaoka and on to Tokyo.

“This is exactly why we invested in making sure the new Tobruk Pool was built to the International Swimming Federation standards,” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said.

The redeveloped Tobruk Pool was opened in mid 2016 after an 18-month, $24.2 million upgrade.

The centre will host the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships in August.

“Initiatives such as the championships lead to many lasting benefits for the host city and host state,” Cr Manning said.

“It is expected that this event will draw top swimmers and fans from within Queensland, interstate and internationally.”

The camps marked a new industry for Cairns, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said.

“When we get these teams here, they pay for food and accommodation,” he said.

Swimming Australia’s interim CEO Chris Forbes said “we’re happy because it provides our teams with an ideal warm-weather training venue in one of the best facilities anywhere in Australia”.

“The climate, the pool and the facilities will be a perfect combination for our teams to put the finishing touches to their respective Games preparations.”

Australian Dolphins high performance chief strategist Alex Baumann said the direct flights from Cairns to Tokyo were a huge plus for his team.

Australia’s Paralympic Program Manager Adam Pine called Tobruk Pool “outstanding”.

“It’s certainly ideal for the Pan Pac Para Championships.” he said.

Main picture: BRENDAN RADKE TAKING THE PLUNGE: Cairns Mayor Bob Manning with talented local swimmers Sophie Fish, 13, (left) and Olivia Luxford, 14 (diving) at Tobruk Pool. (Below) Australian swim stars Emily Seebohm, Mitch Larkin and Ariarne Titmus.

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE GROWING EXCITEMENT: Tobruk Swim Club competitive swimmers Olivia Luxford, 14, and Sophie Fish, 13, can't wait for the nation’s best to come to town.

Picture: ALEX COPPEL TALENTED BUNCH: The entire group of Commonwealth Games medal-winning Aussie swimmers walk along Mermaid Beach at the Gold Coast yesterday.