Fiji Swimming held its second Long Course Grand Prix of the year in Suva yesterday in an attempt to select the best athletes for upcoming regional and international events.
It was a good turnout at the Olympic Pool in Suva as swimmers took to the Long Course events to impress selectors.
Fiji Swimming technical consultant Trisa Dunn said this was the second of three Grand Prix events for the year.
“We have seen some good results as we prepare to the lead up to our nationals in May. We have our selections for the Commonwealth Youth Games as well as the Pacific Games selection going on as well,” Dun said.
Competition was held in age groups from as low as seven year olds.
Dunn said a gradual improvement in timings had been noticed.
“Some good results have been noted and we will closely monitor the progress of some swimmers. Our aim is for the best swimmers to be selected to represent the nation.”
No records were broken at yesterday’s event.
Meanwhile, the event featured the top swimming clubs from Nadi, Lautoka and Suva.
Fiji Swimming president Ben Rova had said the event was part of their qualifying for the open national championship which was scheduled to be held soon after the first school break.
He said this would be held after the Coca-Cola Games in May.
“This second Long Course Grand Prix will serve as part of the build-up for the age group players as they prepare for the World Aquatics Championship in July,” Rova said.
“It is for the selection process to get to Japan. The name of the event has changed from FINA World Championship to the World Aquatics Championship.
“Also the importance of our second Long Course Grand Prix is that we are gauging the performance of our swimmers for the Pacific Games which is starting in November in the Solomon Islands. So based on the performances of the swimmers, they will be ranked in terms of getting selected in the national side.”
