Eurosport - Wed, 02 Jul 07:56:00 2008
Australia's swimming team will thrash out a deal with Malaysia to ensure their Asian hosts' Olympic training schedule is not be turned upside down just weeks before the Games.
Local media reports had said the Australians, who have rented Malaysia's National Aquatic Centre, were refusing to share pool time with the Malaysian swimmers, forcing them to get up before dawn to squeeze training in.
But Swimming Australia on Wednesday told Reuters that the reports were inaccurate.
"[Australian head coach] Alan Thompson has been in contact with the Malaysian head coach to make sure it's all worked out," Swimming Australia media director Ian Hanson said.
"We have a good relationship with the Malaysians so we'll work something out that suits everyone."
Malaysian tabloid the Star on Wednesday reported that Australia, who will set up camp in Malaysia from July 27-August 3 as part of their acclimatisation process for August's Beijing Olympics, had refused to share pool time.
"If we are unable to train at our normal time, we will have to shift it earlier," Malaysia swimming coach Paul Thomas Birmingham told the newspaper.
"I would be looking at us starting from 6am to 8am before the Australian team begin their morning session.
"I was given options to look at other venues but I would prefer our swimmers to stay put because it's not good to change the environment.
"It's not the ideal preparation but it's not the end of the world. We can somehow manage."
The Beijing Olympics take place from August 8-24.
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