All four Manx swimmers will be in action on the opening morning of the Commonwealth Youth Games swimming programme on Wednesday.

Joel Watterson, Kazia Whittaker, Emma Hodgson and Euan MucMurchie will be swimming on each of the four days of competition at the multi-sport event being helf in the Bahamas.

They face a tough schedule but seem unfazed following their last training session before competition gets underway.

’We’re used to swimming lots of events,’ said Joel, ’We train for this type of race programme and we all love competing, so nobody really wants a day off.’

The group have only had two days to check out the open-air facilities, but all agree that it appears to be a fast pool.

’Our training times are really good and we are all looking forward to getting racing now’, said Kazia. ’We haven’t had much time to get used to the heat, but that’s the same for everyone.’

For the first time the Isle of Man will contest the mixed relays and all four swimmers are excited about the prospect.

’Mixed relays have been around for a while, but the Isle of Man have never had four swimmers to enable us to take part. Whatever else happens we’ll be making history!’ said Euan.

’We don’t really train specifically for it, but relays are special. We all know that we will give everything for the team’. said Emma. ’It’s at the end of the programme, so it will be really exciting.’

Swimming team manager Lee Holland was upbeat when asked about his team’s prospects: ’The Commonwealth Youth Games are a fantastic opportunity for our swimmers.

’This quartet have worked so hard to get here and their training since before Gotland [Island Games] has been going very well. I’m confident of some outstanding performances this week.’

Steve Partington