Maddy Gough was one of the Dolphins squad members taking part in a surprise swim meet at Bond University. PICTURE: Cavan Flynn
Australia’s fastest swimmers have taken part in a surprise swim meet at Bond University to prepare them for the uncertainty of the Tokyo Olympics.
The Dolphins squad were told only on the morning of the event that they would be competing in the relay blitz, which was the brainchild of head coach Rohan Taylor.
Taylor wants to keep his Olympic hopefuls ready for every possible scenario heading into the Games, which has already been delayed once.
“When you get to the Olympic Games, you are going to be fatigued in that environment, you are going to be uncomfortable,” Taylor said.
“That was what (the event) was about, getting them fatigued.
“I told them you have to compete, you have to get up in the morning and race and that is what today is about.”
Multiple Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell competed in several events in Bond’s state-of-the-art short-course pool and was excited to be racing again.
Her focus on the Olympics has never wavered.
“It feels great. Most of us have really, really missed competing,” Campbell said.
“It’s that little bit extra that keeps you motivated throughout the year. To be able to stand up and see where you are this early in the season on short notice is a nice surprise.
“Expect the unexpected. We have had things thrown at us and it is about adapting and coping.
“It’s a wonderful initiative and a great opportunity to get some friendly rivalry within the team and it makes everyone excited looking forward to Tokyo.
“As long as the Olympics are on, that is all we care about. If there is a swimming pool, a starting block and a starter, that’s honestly all we need.
“I think the world will need an Olympics after the couple of years we’ve had.”
Taylor said the facilities at Bond University were the perfect launchpad for Australia’s Olympic campaign.
“We have a high performance program that operates here at Bond under Richard Scarce and we come here a lot to see the facilities,” he said.
“I think it is a no-brainer to have this particular activity here as well as the event camp, because it is such a great facility.
“It has the versatility of the long and short course pool, the gym … it is a great feel. We are really privileged to be here.”