Olympic swimmer denied access to her coach
- Jon Tuxworth
- 8th August 2008
17-year-old Olympic swimmer Samantha Hamill.
THE coach of Sunshine Coast swimmer Samantha Hamill insists her Olympic campaign remains firmly on track despite Chinese red tape restricting their interaction to phone calls.
Peter Gartrell, in Beijing to watch the 17-year-old he's coached for four years compete at her debut Games, has been unable to set up face-to-face contact with the butterfly star due to Olympic rules.
Gartrell's inability to secure tickets or poolside accreditation for Hamill's events is the reason for the less than convenient situation.
"There is some opportunity to talk to the swimmers where they have a meeting place in the separate part of the (Olympic) village, but to meet you have to book in advance and have a valid ticket," Gartrell told The Daily yesterday from his Beijing hotel room.
"I'm not having much contact with Sam other than over the phone. I'm speaking with her twice a day and giving her programs to do.
"One of the Australian team coaches is designated to look after her and he's pretty good.
"At the training camp in Malaysia I was with her, but not since we've arrived in Beijing.
"It's pretty standard for most Olympics. Unless you're one of the coaches on the Australian team you stay in the background for the last week or so."
With watching from the stands ruled out, the search is on for Gartrell to find a television to watch Hamill's races on that doesn't require subtitles.
"In my hotel room it's all Chinese-speaking TV," he said.
"There's a few other coaches in a similar boat to me, so we're hoping to find another place we might be able to watch it on an English speaking TV."
Adding to Gartrell's predicament is he is currently on crutches.
"I've got a bad knee problem and they've flared up a bit. It's making it difficult for me to get around," he said.
Hamill is due to compete in the 400m individual medley heats tomorrow night, with the final to be held early Sunday afternoon.
Gartrell said that race will provide a terrific precursor before Hamill tackles her pet event, the 200m butterfly, next week.
"The important swim is the fly next week of course, but the IM is a good one to have first up to break the ice," he said.
"I think we've got things under control. Sammy's in good spirits and ready to go on Saturday night.
"She rings me after training and lets me know what's going on."
Hamill is ranked eleventh in the world in the 200m butterfly heading into the Olympics.
For more Beijing news, photos and info, see our special Beijing Olympics Guide.
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