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SWIMMING
14/03/2006 13:07 - (SA)
Melbourne - Swimming has been hit by the withdrawals of Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett making for open men's races, but Australia are expected to sweep the women's events.
The Aussies have recent world record-breakers Leisel Jones and Libby Lenton spearheading their country's best women's team for over a generation.
England won 10 gold medals at the last Manchester Games, but don't expect to repeat that in Melbourne, while South Africa are expecting success in the men's sprints and relays.
Ryk Neethling and Roland Schoeman will lead the South African charge and are also expected to lead the 4x100m freestyle relay team's bid to improve on their own world record set at the Athens Olympics two years ago.
Canada and New Zealand should be in line for medals, while Scotland have three swimmers top-ranked in the Commonwealth and Wales look to have a strong chance of winning the men's 1500m freestyle with David Davies now that Hackett is watching from the stands.
- SAPA
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