Boot camp for British swimmers

Britain's swimming squad coach, Bill Sweetenham, has announced plans for a demanding winter training regime in order to bring British swimmers' performances up after a poor British Championships.

Sweetenham has announced plans to introduce a 'boot camp' regime, which will see swimmers training in nylon suits to enhance drag, a minimum of 60km a week and even sleeping on the floor to simulate uncomfortable accommodation at major championships.

Sweetenham's tough approach comes after Britain's swimmers failed to secure any medals at the Sydney Olympics, and despite the home nations' strong performance in the pool at the Commonwealth Games, the recently held British Championships failed to meet Sweetenham's expectations.

Sweetenham bluntly criticised coaches in a meeting after the event warning them to keep standards high or risk losing their lottery funding. However, those swimmers who maintain a top-eight world placing will gain an additional £5,000 a year, and any who improve on the Commonwealth Games standard will earn an additional £2,500.

Plans are also in place for the establishment of an elite training facility on the Gold Coast by the start of the Australian academic year in January.

The squad of two seniors and six juniors would live permanently in Australia, benefiting from excellent facilities, and better year-round weather. The rest of the British team would use the base for shorter training periods before major championships.