THE moderate performances by members of Team 2000 at the Leisureland international meet in Salthill at the weekend has left competitors frustrated and Swim Ireland officials feeling more agitated than ever over the Government's lack of support.

However, they have passed a vote of solidarity in support of their top competitors which in effect means that nobody is to be dropped from the top national panel. The reprieve comes in the wake of the Salthill disappointments which for some proved embarrassing.

Swim Ireland PRO Clare Mulholland confirmed her associations sympathetic attitude towards its top swimmers yesterday when she said: "The lack of support for the swimmers over the past year has resulted in a decision not to lower times in this instance."

Had Swim Ireland insisted on times agreed last year to be rigidly observed half of the panel would have been given the chop following a procession of failures to repeat standards by the end of the Leisureland event. Even team members such as Nick O'Hare and Adrian O'Connor would not have escaped the trap door. Colin Lowth was the only member of the Sydney 2000 team to make a personal best time during the three days in Salthill.

Another bright light was the performance of Nicola Pepper in the 200m butterfly. The spin-off effect of Government funding policy is especially detrimental in the area of team selection for the world short course championships in Hong Kong in April with only one competitor, Andrew Bree (Ards), qualifying.

This month's highlights are the Trojan junior and Dolphin minnows meets, the schools' international in Salthill and the Ulster Open Championships.