SWIMMING: Ipswich coach Dave Champion has completed his senior stint at the European Short Course Championships in Germany.The 39-year-old was selected by performance director Bill Sweetenham after he attended the Commonwealth Games with star Suffolk swimmer Karen Pickering earlier this year.

By Debbie Watson

SWIMMING

IPSWICH coach Dave Champion has completed his senior stint at the European Short Course Championships in Germany.

The 39-year-old was selected by performance director Bill Sweetenham after he attended the Commonwealth Games with star Suffolk swimmer Karen Pickering earlier this year.

This latest top-level event proved a success for Britain, despite it not being classed as a major priority for the current agenda.

In all, Britain won a total of three golds, four silvers and one bronze medal in the Riesa-based competition.

Ironically, this tally was more than last year when the squad were at that time fully rested.

Sweetenham has accepted that this event was not his priority, and that instead he is looking to the long term – and in particular to the 2004 Olympic Games.

"We've a long way to go but are moving forward," he said. "I didn't put a priority on this meet this year but will do next year."

Champion will now concentrate his energies back at Ipswich, helping Pickering in her long-term goal of an Olympic gold.

Formerly a coach in Brighton, Champion has been a key player on the team at Ipswich for 14 years.