It might be 10 months to the biggest sporting event staged in Britain for a generation, but staff at the Wales National Pool Swansea are already counting down the days to the Olympics and Paralympics.
For the site which is already home to a group of Olympic and Paralympic swimmers hoping to claim medals in London next year will also be hosting international teams too.
A number of countries have expressed an interest in using the Wales National Pool as their final training base ahead of next summer’s sporting jamborees and General Manager Jeremy Cole said anyone who does will be assured of a warm Swansea welcome.
He said there is a real buzz at the centre with less than a year before the games kick off.
And he added: “A number of teams have expressed an interest in being based here and while nothing’s been decided yet, we’re determined to ensure that any teams who do choose to use our facilities as a training base will get the best-possible launch-pad for their Olympic/Paralympic ambitions.”
The Wales National Pool is the already home to elite athletes, Paralympian Gold Medallist Ellie Simmons, Commonwealth Games double-medallist Jazz Carlin, Jemma Lowe and Georgia Davies.
Mr Cole said: “These are crucial times for Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls because the training they are doing now will make a difference next year when they need to put in the big performances to qualify for the games and then compete in London.”
But he added: “We are a community pool as well as one of five specially-desginated Intensive Training Centres identified by the sport’s governing body, British Swimming, as key locations for Olympic swimming hopefuls.
“That means that swimmers who use the pool to keep fit or enjoy a relaxing swim for fun can often find themselves taking inspiration from those intent on securing a place on the world stage next year.”
