Irish Swimming

Ireland has not won an Olympic Swimming medal since 1996 in Atlanta when Michelle Smith won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal.

Ireland will be sending three swimmers to Beijing, one more than Athens,

Andrew Bree in the Men's 100 and 200 metres breaststroke and also in the 200 metres individual medley.

Aisling Cooney in the Women's 100m Backstroke.

Melanie Nocher in the Women's 200m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle.

Andrew Bree was the only one to achieve an 'A' standard but the two women were selected with 'B' standards as it is thought that they will be in contention four years from now in London, Nocher's selection seemed to help her as she then achieved the 'A' standard days later at the British National Swimming championships in Liverpool.

Predictions

It is unlikely that any of the three will take home a medal but Andrew Bree will probably go the furthest as the other two are being looked at with London in mind. Bree should make the semi's and after that who knows? If all three make it past the heats it will be considered a success in my view.