Swim Ireland Forgoing Short Course World Championships

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

• December 13th – December 18th
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), Melbourne, Australia
• SCM (25m)
• Meet Central

As nations around the world are revealing their rosters for the 2022 FINA Short Course Championships, Swim Ireland has announced it will not be sending a squad to Melbourne.

“Swim Ireland, in consultation with athletes, has made a decision this year to take these long course swimming opportunities rather than compete at the FINA World SC Championships as preparation continues towards the 2023 World Championships and Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” reads Swim Ireland’s official statement on social media this week.

‘These long course swimming opportunities” refer to the U.S. Open and the Rotterdam Qualification Meet, both of which are taking place this weekend. Ireland is sending 14 swimmers to the former and 6 swimmers to the latter.

As a reminder, FINA covers the costs for 2 athletes and 2 coaches from each country.

Ireland has had medalists at the last 2 editions of the FINA Short Course World Championships, beginning with Shane Ryan‘s bronze medal in the 50m back 4 years ago in Hangzhou, China.

At the 2021 edition, it was the women who stepped up, with Mona McSharry capturing 50m breast bronze while her teammate Ellen Walshe snagged 400m IM silver in Abu Dhabi. Both athletes compete for the University of Tennessee.

Swim Ireland, in consultation with athletes, has made a decision this year to take these long course swimming opportunities rather than compete at the FINA World SC Championships as preparation continues towards the 2023 World Championships and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) November 29, 2022