Seebohm leaves camp

Swimming team break-up takes another twist

EMILY Seebohm has left the Australian swimming team’s camp ahead of the Pan Pacific Championships and will complete her preparation for the meet in Brisbane before rejoining her teammates in Japan.

While most of the Australian team left Cairns for Japan on Saturday, Seebohm met with team officials before returning to Brisbane to complete her preparations for the meet. She will rejoin the team in Tokyo before the meet begins on August 9, with her first race the following day in the 100m backstroke.

Swimming Australia chief executive Leigh Russell spoke out yesterday after stories emerged Seebohm had been instructed to keep away from team camp in the wake of her breakup with Mitch Larkin.

Russell said Seebohm had been welcomed into camp with staff working hard to ensure her wellbeing.

“In light of the very public break-up of two of our important athletes, Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin, Swimming Australia has given every consideration to address the wellbeing of our people,” Russell said.

“At no stage did any representative from Swimming Australia say to Emily ‘to stay away’ from the Cairns camp.

“To the contrary, every effort has been made to support Emily and she was consulted as to what were the best options for her performance preparation.

“She made the decision to come in to camp later, choosing to prepare with her home coach David Lush, a decision we fully supported.

“When she arrived she was assigned to a team coach – not Mitch Larkin’s coach as reported.”

Swimming great Leisel Jones said yesterday Seebohm and Larkin need to check their emotional baggage at the door.

“It’s a relationship breakup, who cares? Just let them live their life, it’s not interesting,” Jones told Nine’s Sports Sunday.