The 2012 United States Olympic Training Camp begins on Saturday in Knoxville, Tennessee in the massive University of Tennessee campus. The 49 members of the U.S. Olympic swim team will take over the lanes at the Jones Aquatic Center for a week, rubbing shoulders with the resident Pilot Aquatic Club, for some fine-tuning and relay preparations.
Neither this camp, nor the one that follows in France, will see many major changes. It will be an opportunity for the Olympic coaching staff to get a feel for where the team is at before making relay decisions; to practice handoffs; to hit final tapers; and to make sure that everyone stays focused in the final three-week run-up to the Olympics. It will also be an opportunity for the new members of the team to become absorbed into this ultra-elite culture and to develop some not-to-be-undervalued camaraderie.
Below is the schedule for the American Team leading up to London.
Click here to see the US Swimming roster.
Click here to see the coaching staff.
July 7 Knoxville
July 12 Media day
July 14 Fly to Vichy, France
July 23 Arrive in London
July 26 USOC press conference
July 27 Olympic opening ceremonies
July 28 Swimming begins
And in Vichy Saturday July 21 will be a great day for supporters, swimming fans and local swimmers. In the morning the training session will be open to the public and there will be an autograph session.
BOBO GIGI, What are the facilities like? Indoor, outdoor,is there a gym,?
It’s a new aquatic center build in 2008 with many possible activities. You have a 25 meters indoor pool, a 50 meters outdoor pool, spa, sauna, hammam… I think the american team will be very satisfied.
It’s a new aquatic center open to the public in 2008 with many possible activities.
Thanks for the shout out to Pilot Aquatic! But the Pilot team swimmers WILL be in Knoxville for the duration of the Olympic team’s stay. The Marietta meet was the weekend before trials began. We’re looking forward to rubbing shoulders with Olympians, especially with our own Claire Donahue and Davis Tarwater on the roster! And thankfully, UT has three 50 meter pools on campus…
Point of clarification, it is my understanding that Claire Donahue did not swim for Pilot but for a small team outside of Knoxville. She apparently never swam a practice at Pilot. In addition, I believe Davis dropped all affiliation with Pilot Aquatic Club before the trials in 2008 when the team decided to cut ties with their head coach. Which would be the reason that he co-represented the Kansas City Blazers at the 2012 Olympic Trials and not Pilot Aquatic Club. Therefore, it would be my understanding that Pilot actually has no ties to anyone on the team.
I think with Missy on the team Lia will be very comfortable. Everybody would be comfortable with Missy. She’s so cool. And good luck to Lia. The american relay needs a 53.50 split or better from her.
And welcome to Vichy. From July 15 to July 23 you will be in a beautiful aquatic center.
We do hope that Lia will gain by being exposed to fellow and veteran Olympians, as she’ll learn some great things by being surrounded by many fantastic people. That’s pretty much what happens when you’re surrounded by Olympians… kinda goes without saying that she’s gonna learn.
Let’s not forget though, the team work by her fellow AGUA swimmers, her supportive family, and her Coach Rachel Stratton-Mills to get her above so many great athletes to make the team.
Is this Neal’s first senior National Team?