IMAGE| The Australian

By David McPherson

Australia’s best Paralympic and able-bodied swimmers will vie to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast just five weeks before the games kick off.

Swimming Australia has chosen the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre as the venue for next year’s 2018 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Trials.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chairman, Peter Beattie AC, says the trials will help to ensure a smooth running of the Games given the venue will also be used for the Games themselves.

“The event will act as a key operational trial ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, with major involvement from GOLDOC staff in the planning and operational delivery of the event,” he said.

The scheduling is a step away from the traditional timing of the event, which is usually held at least three months before.

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips says Commonwealth Games Australia has worked with Swimming Australia to enhance athlete preparation.

“We hope that these trials, contested close to the Games and at the Games pool, will ensure our swimmers are prepared for success at the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson says the event will allow spectators who missed out on swimming tickets to see athletes such as Olympic gold medallists Mack Horton and Kyle Chalmers in action.

“The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is a state of the art location and will no doubt be a fantastic backdrop for the athletes as they race at the biggest domestic event on the swimming calendar,” Anderson said.