Europeans to be Important Starting Point to Paralympics for Sweden

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Championships which get underway this weekend in Berlin, Germany will be an important starting point for swimmers preparing for London 2012 according to Swedish coach Rolf Skoogh.

Sweden is sending seven swimmers to the German capital to compete in what will be one of the last major international gatherings ahead of next year’s Paralympic Games and coach Skoogh has not set any medal targets for his swimmers but is instead looking for good results.

Rolf Skoogh said: “London 2012 is very close now and we want to get as many swimmers as possible qualified for the Paralympics. This is a major Championship and we want the hard work and investments we have put into our swimmers to pay dividend.

“We will work harder than ever before in Berlin and the prospects look good. To win a medal I think our swimmers will have to break their personal best but I am always confident that they can do that at a Championship.”

At the German Championships earlier this year a number of Swedish swimmers put in stunning performances. Anders Olsson set a new European 200m Breaststroke record, Jennie Ekström broke the 100m Breaststroke world record and Maja Reichard smashed world record in 50m Breaststroke.

Around 440 swimmers from 36 countries are expected in Berlin for the European Championships which will see competition take place between 3-7 July.

The Swedish team for Berlin is:

Anders Olsson, Deje SS (class S5 and SB6

Christoffer Lindhe, Ålsundens SS (class S4 and SB2)

Mikael Fredriksson, Örebro SA (Class A3)

Pernilla Lindberg, S02 (class S14)

Maja Reichard, Nacka HI (class S11)

Jennie Ekström, use of local SS (Class S4, SM3 and SB2)

Lina Watz, Karlstad SS (class S10)