Report form Taipei - Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September

We are well into competition mode now – we, the spectators, leave the hotel at about 8 45 in a fleet of taxis and arrive about 20 minutes later at the pool. Entry is free, but we have to go through a line of volunteers who spray us with antibacterial gel, take our temperatures, make us sip from our drinks bottles and search our bags before we walk through the metal detector and eventually are allowed into the pool complex. Seats are comfortable (but would of course benefit from the use of the Leatherhead cushion) and most have a good view. The pool itself is new with excellent facilities, and has electronic equipment that hasn’t failed yet, including lights by all the blocks – can we buy some please? The staff are really attentive such that I saw a cleaner following one of the GB swimmers up the corridor, mopping up as the swimmer dripped pool water in his wake. Perhaps we need to bring some of the local leisure centre providers out here to have a look!
The competition starts at 10am, with heats in the morning and finals at 5pm. There are B finals (so first 16 qualify) in any event where there are 24 entries in the morning.
Tom took part in the 400 free (4:49.82) yesterday and the 100 free (59.67) today, getting PB’s in both but not gaining a place in a final. The latter was Tom’s first time sub-60 long course and what better occasion to do it!
The team may have one A and one B final tonight but we haven’t seen the official results to confirm this.
So far, the swimming team have 2 bronze medals because Hannah got another one yesterday for her 200IM. The weather is still hot (currently 36oC), humid and there has been no rain in Hsinchu for about a month. It’s remains cooler in the pool complex.
Tomorrow is a rest day, so the parents will go and do more sightseeing, and the team have to rest, though they may be allowed to visit a local temple or two as there are a number nearby.