 |  Success is a decision about attitude, not an emotion, feeling or desire |
Every member of the British swimming team has signed up to a pledge of excellence ahead of the Athens Games. National performance director Bill Sweetenham issued a heartfelt rallying call to the British swimmers and the team's coaching staff.
In his open letter to every member of the team, he says: "To those aspiring to excellence in sport, the ultimate is the Olympic Games."
He adds: "Attitude is everything and winning the only considered option."
The British team is currently housed in a Cyprus holding camp, with Sweetenham insisting they are "totally focused" on achieving an outstanding team result in Athens.
And he urged members of the British public to send their goodwill messages to the team hotel.
"I believe this will be one of the strongest teams ever to represent Britain. I would like everybody to feel involved in this challenge to greatness.
| SUPPORT TEAM GB Sweetenham is encouraging Brits to send their messages of support to the team By fax:
Coral Beach Hotel, Cyprus
00 357 26 881205
c/o Craig Hunter or Claire Huddart Email: goodluck@swimming .org |
"One way that you might consider supporting and feeling part of this dedicated committed and enthusiastic team, would be to forward your best wishes to any particular swimmer." Sweetenham has presided over a phenomenal improvement in standards in his four years running the national swimming programme.
Known for his high standards, he has set a series of tough objectives for the team, including:
- Being the best prepared unit of any team in any sport at the Olympics
- Every swimmer contesting an individual event making finals
- Every relay team ranking inside the top six in the world
- Having a strong podium representation
"This is a team that will represent Britain with a fighting spirit as never witnessed before," said Sweetenham.
The British team has made massive strides since a disappointing Sydney Olympics, with Australian Sweetenham central to the progress.
An impressive haul of 11 gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was followed by a best-ever seven golds at last year's European Short Course meeting in Dublin.
And Sweetenham believes the team can continue to improve in the pool in Athens.
"The courage and conviction of this team is complete and totally focused preparation," he says.
Sweetenham adds: "It is a team that continues to display those special qualities that only a few can aspire to."
MMIX
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