SwimmingThe German team, packed with world and European champions, are set to make the biggest splash at the European short-course championships, starting on Thursday at the Abbotstown National Aquatic Centre.
Led by last season's five-time European champion Franziska Van Almsick, the Germans bring their strongest ever side to these championships, 37 swimmers in all.
Van Almsick (25), has multiplied the medal count for Germany since the championships began seven years ago. Her cherished aim is to win 200 metres freestyle gold in Athens and she reckons competing in the 25-metre pool will help.
Last month, she retained the 200 national title by clocking 1.56.38 but was outside the two-year-old
world record of 1.54.74 held by another entrant to these championships, Slovak Martina Moravkova.
Germany also have world champion freestyler Hannah Stockbauer and backstroker Antje Buschschulte.
Sweden include their Olympic butterfly champion Lars Frolander and world short-course specialist Therese Alshammar.
Two of Ireland's 12-strong team, Chantal Gibney and Emma Robinson, can provide strong challenges in women's events.
Britain bring the biggest team, their 55 competitors, including world champions Kathy Sexton (200 backstroke) and James Gibson (50 breaststroke).
Ireland manager Ger Doyle was happy to have most of his charges for training last evening. Andrew Bree, our main medal hope, has been exam-tied in Tennessee and joins the team tomorrow.
