Retiring swimmer’s parting shots

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 52

Retiring swimmer’s parting shots

PA Wellington The long-serving New Zealand swimming representative, Barry Salisbury, has retired with a few choice words for the sports’ top officials.

Salisbury, aged 23, has been a national representative since 1976, but after competing at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games he now feels ready to say goodbye to the grind of four hours training each day. Salisbury yesterday lashed out at the national association’s president, lan McPhee, who this month criticised New Zealand's Games swimmers for lack of application and determination.

“I was really annoyed when I heard those comments by lan McPhee,” said Salisbury. “He wasn’t even at the Games. I think the atti-

tude of the male swimmers in Brisbane was really good.

“In fact I’ve never been in such a determined group. To hear the national president criticising us from New Zealand was terrible. We didn’t go there for a holiday — we were keyed-up and serious.” Salisbury said he would like to see New Zealand's top swimming coaches work together in future.

“It’s a bit ridiculous at present. All the coaches are jealous of each other, instead of pulling for the over-all team. Swimmers tend to group round their own coach which affects team spirit.” Having toured, most parts of the swimming world, Salisbury leaves the competitive side of the sport envious of the opportunities of top swimmers from other countries.

“The money they spend on the top swimmers overseas is unbelievable. In Brisbane we got talking to some Canadians who couldn’t believe how little financial support we had received. “If it was 1976 tomorrow and I was just starting out again there’s no doubt I’d head straight for the United States. Over there they have enough money to develop your potential to the fullest. “My best 200 m individual medley time was a little over 2min 10s — if I was an American I reckon I’d be down to 2min 5s at least; and instead of having a 53.3 personal best for the 100 m freestyle, I’m sure I would have gone quite a bit under 535.” Salisbury would like to see New Zealand’s administrators take a more professional outlook.