The Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA) yesterday announced the team that they hope will provide the talent to compete in the Sydney Olympics in Australia in two years' time.

A squad of 12 swimmers has been announced as members of Team 2000. Next year's European Championships will provide the short-term focus for most of the squad and, with the recent intervention of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), a number of the team will have financial support until the deep problems surrounding the IASA have been resolved.

The swimming association have no money because the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr Jim McDaid, suspended all funding earlier this year.

Team 2000: Chantal Gibney, Muiris Reidy (Trojan SC), Colin Lowth, Graham Beegan (Cormorant SC), Paul MacCarthy, Adrian O'Con nor, Hugh O'Connor (New Ross SC), Andrew Bree, Mark Craig (Ards SC), Nick O'Hare (Eastern Bay SC), Niamh Cawley (Claremorris SC), Leonore Kelleher (City of Cork SC), Michael Williamson (Lisburn SC).