U.S. swimmers see China meet as preview for 2008 Olympics
Submitted on April 3, 2006 - 12:00am.
Elaine Marsilio - Spring 2006
As 26 members of the USA Swimming National Team prepare to compete in Shanghai, China, next week, they will also be thinking ahead to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Tara Kirk, who is part Chinese, said she considers the April 5-9 8th FINA Short Course World Championship perfect timing because the meet is near Beijing and between Olympic years.
“It's a great way to understand what is going on,” she said in a conference call interview Wednesday. “It's a way to get better familiarized with the area and how they may run the meets.”
Kirk, who does not speak Chinese, also said the meet will allow her to reconnect with her heritage. She expects a cousin who lives in China to attend the meet.
Tara Kirk, who is part Chinese, said she considers the April 5-9 8th FINA Short Course World Championship perfect timing because the meet is near Beijing and between Olympic years.
“It's a great way to understand what is going on,” she said in a conference call interview Wednesday. “It's a way to get better familiarized with the area and how they may run the meets.”
Kirk, who does not speak Chinese, also said the meet will allow her to reconnect with her heritage. She expects a cousin who lives in China to attend the meet.
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