With such powerhouses as Kyle Chalmers, Cameron McEvoy and James Magnussen making themselves unavailable for a run at a 2016 FINA Short Course World Championships title, the Australian contingency would be further dealt a blow should another athlete withdraw from the biannual competition.
However, that is the case with distance freestyler Jessica Ashwood, as the 23-year-old Australian champion has removed herself from the nation’s short course roster due to illness. Ashwood finished 7th in the women’s 400m freestyle, 5th in the 800m freestyle and earned a silver member via her prelims swim as a member of her nation’s 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2016 Olympic Games.
According to Swimming Australia, the athlete is leaving her Chandler Swimming Club training grounds and temporarily returning home to Sydney to rest and recover while the remaining 19 members of the Australian roster head to Windsor in early December.
“I decided to withdraw from the world short course team after being unwell with a viral infection,” Ashwood said. “Representing the Australian Dolphins is a privilege but, I felt I could not represent the team to the highest standard while unwell.
“I’m now taking time to rest and recover so that I can return to training healthy and strong in preparation for the Australian Championships next year in April,” she said.
Of Ashwood’s no longer competing, head coach Jacco Verhaeren said, “It’s very unfortunate that Jess had to withdraw from the World Short Course Championships.
“But looking at the bigger picture with Trials in April and another World Championship in Budapest next year it’s more important to get healthy and after that to start the training required to achieve those goals.”
The World Championship Team is an exciting mix of rookies, athletes that haven’t been on teams for a few years and some recent Olympians,” Verhaeren said.
“The aim is to improve on their results from the national short course championships to see where that takes them. It’s going to be a good experience where all can learn a lot and get exposure and experience at the International Stage.”