Swimmers to train in Bali for Olympics

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) plans to hold a centralized training camp in January at Bali Cliff Resort in Bali as part of its preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

PRSI chairman Rahardi Ramelan said on Thursday that he would invite an Australian coach to train the swimmers at the swimming pool in the resort complex.

"The resort has an Olympic size swimming pool. I also consider that training in Bali with an Australian coach will be cheaper than sending the swimmers to train in Australia," he said.

PRSI was satisfied with the results of its five-week stint in Australia before competing in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam two weeks ago.

Rahardi declined to name the swimmers, but PRSI secretary general, Patuan Simatupang, said 10 swimmers, consisting of five men's swimmers and five women's swimmers, were under consideration to join the training camp.

Senior Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana, and twin brothers Felix and Albert Christiadi Sutanto will surely be prepared for the Olympics as the 4x100m freestyle relay team managed to equal the time of the world ranked 16th placed team.

Junior M. Akbar Nasution, sister Elsa Manora Nasution, Catherine Surya, Rita Mariani, Sylvia Triana and Meitri Pangestika are also likely to take part in the training camp.

Rahardi handed over cash bonuses of Rp 25 million (US$3,300) to gold medalists, Rp 15 million for silver medalists and Rp 7.5 million for bronze medalists.

SEA Games record breakers received an additional bonus of Rp 5 million, national record breakers earned Rp 2.5 million and other non record-breaking athletes, who are considered to have potential, but excluding the swimmers, were awarded Rp 5 million. (ivy)