To sink or to swim?

LAURIE Lawrence has been around a few pools and if he says our swimmers need to toughen up a bit, then it’s time we listened.

The tough-love stance urged by the coaching great on Page 36 today highlights growing concerns that pampering our athletes is getting us nowhere.

The NRL folded its under-20 program out of fears that living that kind of lifestyle didn’t agree with talents who had done little to earn such plaudits and even less to handle such strains.

It’s not necessarily fair to simply cast our swimmers in such a boat, yet growing evidence (see results at major meets) suggests Laurie may be on the mark.