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Click HERE to go to the Omega Live Timing website - follow the Comm Games live online!
Important times:
Visit the Official website of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games for the latest news, as always Swimming Australia, while I think SMH.com.au and Fox Sports will be the pick for the latest across all sports!
March 11, 2005
Giaan, but not forgotten - Herald Sun
Picture: COLLEEN PETCH
It's just 4 days to go until the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games begin, and in today's Herald Sun there is a great feature article, written by Rebecca Williams, on Giaan Rooney
Australian beauty: Swimmer Giaan Rooney is not only a champion but a popular member of the swimming team. And when the team moves into the Commonwealth Games athletes' village tomorrow, Rooney will take the reins as captain. >> Click here to read the full article
It has also been a fairly actioned packed week for the Aussie swim team, as this time last weekend went into their 1 week staging camp om Melbourne before entering the Athletes Village tomorrow.
Ian Thorpe was under a big illness cloud, with his coach Tracey Menzies withdrawing from the team on Monday, to look after her new born son, her star athlete followed suit the next day and knew he couldn't compete when, it's reported, on Monday he did 12 laps of the training pool at Sutherland Lesiure Centre in an effort to gauge his abilities after been laid low for weeks with illness, but he was that spent that he knew then and there he would not be able to compete.
Very unfortunate news for Ian Thorpe, but hopefully he will be able to give himself enough time as he needs to recover and compete again.
Here are some quotes (below) from Giaan on the withdrawal of the Thorpedo:
Giaan Rooney, Australian Commonwealth Games swim team captain
"Everyone is a little bit shocked but we are all looking forward now to focusing on some of the other athletes taking an opportunity to swim well at these Games."
"Obviously Ian's withdrawal is very sad and unfortunate and the team will react in different ways, but we've got a job to do and at the end of the day we are more worried about Ian the person and not Ian the swimmer, and his long-term health is far more important to us than his short-term capabilities as a swimmer."
Lastly for this update, both the swim suits to be worn by the Aussies and the medals on offer for the athletes at the Commonwealth Games were 'unveiled' so to speak...! Click the links below to check them out! :)
The medals (Pic from Getty Images)
Klimmy and Brooke flex their muscles!
Aussie swim team members pose for the media in the suits (Pics from Fox Sports)
February 5th, 2006
GIAAN ROONEY NAMED DOLPHINS TEAM CAPTAIN
A MASSIVE Congratulations to Giaan Rooney, who was this afternoon named Dolphins Team Captain for the 2006 Commonwealth Games! :D
See below for a copy of the full media realease from Swimming Australia
GIAAN ROONEY NAMED CAPTAIN & DEPUTISES FOR HACKETT
3:12pm
Triple Commonwealth Games representative and dual Olympian Giaan Rooney was today named captain of the Commonwealth Games Swim Team - deputising for Telstra Dolphins Australian team captain Grant Hackett when the team moves into the Games Village on March 12.
With Hackett on hand, Swimming Australia President Neil Martin announced Rooney’s appointment to the applause of the entire 53-strong swim team and 44 members of the Australian Swim Team staff who dined out at The Point Restaurant in Melbourne before moving into a three-day Orientation Camp in Melbourne. Rooney, the reigning world champion in the 50m backstroke said after the announcement: “I’m actually honoured, humbled and flattered all at the same time and a little bit scared.
“Grant will be with us in the team staging camp before the Games and I will be deputising for Grant once we go into the Games Village. Rooney has a great relationship with Hackett, having trained with the distance king at Miami on the Gold Coast before she moved to Melbourne to train under Ian Pope, and today she said she will sit down with Hackett during the staging camp to discuss the captaincy role.
“Grant is like a brother to me and if I have a problem he is always a phone call away and I know he will support me whenever I need him,” the world 50m backstroke champion said.
“We will meet during the camp a number of times and I will try and take as much from Grant as I can.”
Rooney also believes the 2006 Australian Commonwealth Games Swim Team was one of Australia’s strongest ever.
“It’s important to emphasise that we do have the Elite Athlete with a Disability competitors, and we have a great group of women and a great group of men and this is one of the strongest Australian teams ever assembled.”
The swimmers certainly got “straight to The Point” when they celebrated one of the most successful Telstra Australian Swimming Championships on record at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre with a lunch at The Point in Albert Park.
The Point, one of Melbourne’s most popular dining spots, is the closest restaurant to the venue where 11 world records were broken during the championships.
Swimmers will return to their home programs on Tuesday afternoon and will re-assemble in Melbourne on March 5 before moving into the Village on March 12, with competition starting on March 16.
Congrats again to Giaan! - I will add more news articles/pics, as they become available.
53 Swimmers named in Commonwealth Games team ... plus Selection snap shot
At the completion of competition last night, the 2006 Commonwealth Games team was named, and the swimmers who will be representing Australia in Melbourne are:
Women: Bronte Barratt (Qld), Lara Carroll (WA), Sophie Edington (NSW), Jade Edmistone (Qld), Joanna Fargus (Qld), Sally Foster (Qld), Felicity Galvez (NSW), Melissa Gorman (Qld), Brooke Hanson (Vic), Jodie Henry (Qld), Leisel Jones (Qld), Libby Lenton (Qld), Danni Miatke (Vic), Linda MacKenzie (Qld), Alice Mills (Qld), Kylie Palmer (Qld), Sarah Paton (NSW), Shayne Reese (Vic), Jennifer Reilly (WA), Stephanie Rice (Qld), Giaan Rooney (Vic), Jess Schipper (Qld), Caroline South (SA), Kelly Stubbins (Vic), Tarnee White (Qld), Tayliah Zimmer (NSW).
Men: Leith Brodie (Qld), Ashley Callus (Qld), Nick Ffrost (Qld), Brett Hawke (Vic), Michael Klim (Vic), Josh Krogh (Qld), Andrew Lauterstein (Qld), Andrew Mewing (Qld), Kenrick Monk (NSW), Travis Nederpelt (WA), Jim Piper (WA), Adam Pine (Qld), Andrew Richards (NSW), Brenton Rickard (Qld), Christian Sprenger (Qld), Eamon Sullivan (WA), Matt Targett (Vic), Ian Thorpe (NSW), Matt Welsh (Vic)
Congrats to all! :)
A few swimmers were ‘borderline’ and only just missed the team, one of those being backstroker Fran Adcock … who’s non selection in the team has been, in today’s media, put down to the use of the FINA point score system between her and other (unnamed) atheletes to decide the final make up of 45 athletes for the CG team … I've just been looking out for more info the FINA Point score, and wondered if it is based on the IPS Point Score which swimnews.com says is being used for the FINA World Cups, then I presume yes?
If soooo ... interesting info below...! After entering in the Finals performances of both Fran Adcock and Caroline South ... one of perhaps a few swimmers who was ‘borderline’ in being selected for the team or not
FRAN ADCOCK – 200 BACK - 3rd place
Time: 02:12.8
Points 948
FRAN ADCOCK – 100 BACK - 6th place
Time: 01:02.7
Points 940
Adcock total = 1888
CAROLINE SOUTH – 800 FREE - 3rd place
Time: 08:40.8
Points 944
CAROLINE SOUTH – 1500 FREE - 3rd place
Time: 16:37.0
Points 944
South total = 1888
I guess based on that, if these two were infact in direct competiton for one of the final spots on the team, that they chose South as she finished higher in both her finals swims ...??? Despite the selection policy being based on times ...??? I'm not sure!
Despite all that above, I don't mean to take anything away from either girls performance, or South's selection in the Aussie team, just thought I would share how tight the selection was, if this is even in fact the way they do it when breaking it down against the FINA point score system...!
For what it's worth, I feel a little more 'sorry' for Fran Adcock than I would perhaps another swimmer, after chatting to her briefly a couple of weeks ago when she was actually the AIS Tour Guide (!!) when I did a tour of the AIS when I was down in Canberra for the weekend ... she seemed genuinely happy with her training and excited for the then up coming CG trails ... It was quite funny actually, my sister asked her how her training for the Commonwealth Trials was going, and she said how it was all going really well, and then I asked "Will you be swimming the 200 back?" and she seemed a bit surprised and said "Yeah, how did you know that?!" - I got a bit embarrassed haha and mumbled something about being a bit of a swimming fan, but later thought I shoulda said something like 'You're an Olympian, give yourself more credit girl ;)'
It was great to be able to have an AIS swimmer (along with a rower too :)), of all athletes, as the tour guide, as I enjoyed getting a bit of a snapshot into the AIS Swimming program ... interestingly, Fran said some very similar things to Giaan (quotes below!) about the Womens Aussie swim team and media attention!
She seems like a real nice person, so I hope she keeps on training hard and we'll see her back on a Dolphins team soon ... :)
Giaan sets new Commonwealth mark as she wins the 50 back!
Giaan celebrates following her win Pics from Fox Sports
The pressure was on, but Giaan Rooney delivered superbly!
Rooney went into night 5 of the 2006 Commonwealth Games trials, needing first and foremost a fast time, in order to place herself higher on the top 45 swimmers list, as the team was to be selected based on fastest times swum, being in the first two (traditionally three, for a CG team) places not enough to win a spot on the team, this time round.
Well, how does a eclipsing your own Commonwealth Record to post a new benchmark of 28.42 sound...?! Yup...! Bingo! :D
Tay Zimmer probably had the best start of the 8 in the final, but Giaan was able to capitalise on her own speed and power as the race progressed, coming home very strongly, her finger tips and hands brushing with the World Record-red line with 20-15m to go in the race!
I've said it before, but I'll say it again - it definitely seems like a case of 'if' not 'when' for Giaan and the 50m backstroke WR! :)
Credit: Fox Sports
"I'm stoked with the time, I'm really happy," Giaan said in the post swim interview with Duncan "it means I'm getting closer every time [to the WR mark], as I said the 100 wasn't a great one but I've really made up for it in the 50 and I'm stoked!"
"I'm a bit angry with Popey" Giaan said with a smile "He told me my final was on at 8.45 tonight, not 8.26, so I did the made dash down the corridor - might have to do it more often!" she laughed.
Asked about her career thus far, from 1998 and her National team and CG Games debut, and third Commonwealth Games, Giaan said "My second Commonwealth Games wasn't that great, so I'm really hoping to make up for it in my third, and as you said, home town, I just can't wait."
Duncan asked Giaan about the ladies team and how they keep breaking records "It's actually a bit strange, because when I came on the team at the start it was all about the Mens team, and now it takes a Record to get any media attention in the Womens team!" Giaan laughed
>>Click here to download video of the Women's 50m backstroke final
>>Full results - Womens 50m backstroke final - Swimming Australia
COMING SOON: Race analysis and post swim interview with Giaan. (it's going to be a big file, sorry!)
February 2nd, 2006
Giaan top qualifier for 50m backstroke final
Giaan Rooney has continued on strongly from her third place in last night's 100m backstroke final, after a solid heats swim this morning (28.97) which saw her third fastest into tonight's semis (full heats results here)Giaan swum strongly and took out the first semi final in 28.78 - she looked really great in the race, finishing very strongly and just looked generally very controlled and powerful throughout the race, in my opinion -- Go G! :)
The eight finalists for tomorrow night are:
Interestingly, Elizabeth Coster of New Zealand posted a very impressive 29.84 morning heats swim, but, being an international she is unable to contest the final I thought, but seeing as she didn't swim in the semis, I guess maybe it is both?!
Nice work from the Kiwi, who will one to watch in March, for sure!
All the best to G for tomorrow nights final - I'm sure she'll go well, she was looking real slick out there tonight! Once again she'll be pushed all the way by Tay and Sophie - those two are two of many, anyway! - May the best women win! :)
Note: Sorry for the delay in updating the site, been a bit under the weather the past couple of days -- but back on board! ;) --- screen caps and video to come VERY soon!
Tay tops in 100m back - National Champion 2006
Tay Zimmer has produced a new Australian Record - 1:01.03 - on her way to winning the 2006 National Championship, Wednesday night in Melbourne (day 3) at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Trials.
Giaan Rooney placed third in 1:01.86 with Tay's Kingscliff teammate Sophie Edington making it Kingscliff 1-2, second in 1:01.38.
Giaan led the field at the 50m mark, before slowly but surely being run down over the last 25m by the Kingscliff duo, Tay finishing the stronger to take the win very impressively, and comfortably!
Congrats to all the girls, who again fought out another memorable Australian Championships 100 back!!!
It is now more than ever a case of 'who will be the first Aussie girl to go sub 61' - which is VERY exciting - you'd think it will happen at the Comm Games, without a doubt!
Tay Zimmer was understandably elated with her madien national title over this distance - her mum also very emotional in the stands, which is cute!! :) -- Of the rest of the Zimmer clan, Tay said a big hello to her brothers, sisters and family - after being asked if they were here in Melbourne she said how they are at home in Kingscliff - before excitidly saying that'd they would be coming down for the Commonwealth Games though --- *VERY* cute! :)
Greg Salter and all up at Kingscliff would have to be very happy with the fact that both girls were so successful over the 100 back...!
This is by no means a 'failure' for Giaan, while I'm sure you'd agree with me that of course Giaan may be disappointed as she was probably - like many of the girls, and definitely the top three places - aiming to take the Championship, not place third, but, that said Tay swum fantastically, faster than any Australian has ever swum to take the Championship, and the biggest upside of this is that with third place, Giaan still makes the Commonwealth Games team and has 6 weeks to make little improvements on her 100m race and have a crack at it again...! :)
Should be good! :)
January 18, 2006
Commonwealth Games trials - 11 days to go!
For those who mightn't have seen it, An interesting article from today's Australian about Comm Games selection, and Australian Championships / Worlds 2007 selection...
Selectors raise bar for the Games
By Nicole Jeffery
January 18, 2006
ANY swimmer who is not ranked in the top eight in the world at the end of the Commonwealth Games trials on February 4 will be in danger of missing selection, national head coach Alan Thompson warned yesterday.
Australia is allowed to field up to three swimmers in each event at the Melbourne Games, but Thompson said that a cap of 45 swimmers in the team meant that they would be selected in a pecking order based on each swimmer's world ranking.
Click here to read full article.
It is a good read, with a insight into how the coaches and swimmers have had to approach the Trials and the short 5 week break until Comm Games competition, all the while wanting to get as much as they can out of their performances on both occasions...!
Another 'quote of note' from the article: Meanwhile, the trials for next year's world championships in Melbourne have been brought forward by two months to November 11-18 this year.
Thompson said an informal survey of the nation's elite coaches had found overwhelming support for the move, which will allow the selected swimmers an 18-week preparation for the world titles the following March.
Also, slowly but surely, the start lists for various events are appearing on the Swimming Australia website -- Check out the 2006 Telstra Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials > Program & Results > section of the site for more details!
Fancy yourself as a bit of a tipster for race results, or like me and just wanna have a bit of a look into the crystal ball? ;)
Head on over to this topic on the forum of Jewelinthepool.com and share your predictions for the 2006 Australian Championships / Commonwealth Games trials. Jewelinthepool.com is the official website of Aussie breaststroke sensation Jade Edmistone - some great news, views and discussion over on the site - check it out! :)
January 7, 2006
Giaan begins '06 with win at Victorian Championships
Giaan Rooney started 2006 victoriously this week at the Victorian Swimming Championships, winning the 100m backstroke in a sharp 1:02.31 on day 2 of the meet. Way to go ;-) Impressive time by G! - I can't find the full results just yet, but will add a link when I do!
>> Related article: Hanson back to her best - foxsportsnews.com.au
Giaan withdrew from her other scheduled event for the meet, the 50m backstroke, which were swum on Friday morning.
>> Related article: Danni turns up the heat - foxsportsnews.com.au
With three weeks to go until the 2006 Australian Championships which of course double as the Commonwealth Games selection trials, it's getting excitingly close to the 'business end' for big meets in Aussie swimming, which we normally have to wait until March for, but due to the timing of the Comm Games (March!) it's good to have 'Trials time' come around 'early' anyways! ;-)
