Swimming siblings qualify for London Olympics

| 07/08/2011

(CNS): Cayman’s swimming superstars, siblings Shaune and Brett Fraser, have both now qualified to compete in the 2012 London Olympics and will be part of the Cayman Islands squad. The brothers, who compete as elite athletes for the Cayman Islands, achieved the Olympic “A” standard in the same event — the 200 m freestyle. Shaune earned his Olympic spot at the recent FINA World Swimming Championships in Shanghai, China, with a time of 1.47.73, and Brett qualified with his gold winning performance Wednesday, 3 August, with a time of 1.47.56 seconds, which has nudged him up to 19th in the current world rankings in the event.

Brett clocked the time in the 200m freestyle at the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships at Stanford University in Palo-Alto, California.
 
Cayman national swimming coach Dominic Ross said that summer 2011 was all about Olympic qualification for the brothers.

“The back-to-back events of the FINA World Swimming Championships and the US National Championships provided the perfect platform to attempt to achieve this goal,” he said.

Both swimmers have also earned “B” standards required forOlympic selection in other events. In China, Shaune swam in his second event, the 100m butterfly, to a time of 54.19 seconds, which is equal to the “B” standard required for Olympic selection in that event. Brett also met “B” standards in both of his events in Shanghai – the 100 m freestyle in 48.98 seconds and the 50m freestyle in 22.65 seconds, improving on his own national record in the latter, the coach added

The “B” standard for Olympic selection does not automatically qualify a swimmer for the Olympics. Any unfilled spaces following the official qualifying period will be filled by swimmers who have attained those “B” standard times, Ross explained.

Sports Minister Mark Scotland congratulated the local swimming stars and lauded the brothers' impressive achievement: “I am elated that Shaune and Brett will be swimming for the Cayman Islands at the summer Olympics in London next year,” he said. “Their consistency, dedication and superb effort are an inspiration to us all. I wish them the best as they train in the coming months.”

Brett is also the latest sporting star to join Cayman’s six other elite athletes, who are so named because they are top performers in their field. They are contracted to the Ministry of Sports to represent the Cayman Islands as professional athletes.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    London, here I come!

  2. Kirkey says:

    That great news! You boy will repersent Cayman good! I very proud of you. Good luck and blessing.

  3. Anonymous says:

    SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO SHAUNE AND BRETT!!!    You are truly mentors this island needs for its youth.  You are living proof that hard work and dedication is what makes you successful and earns respect in this world….not sitting around begging from the government and others for handouts and making excuses for everything.  Keep up the great example you are to all young men and women everywhere….not just aspiring athletes here and abroad…..you are truly fine role models and we could sure do with more like you!!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Shaune & Brett you made us proud.

    Your Family in Cayman.

  5. Anonymous says:

    As a former competitive swimmer I am delighted that Caymanians have once again qualified for swimming in the olympics. We will watch every race that we can possibly find on TV, YouTube, wherever we can find them.

    Best of luck guys, we are all rooting for you, make us proud.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Best of Luck! WIn or lose what you have done is amazing! 

     

    We will be watching and cheering for you guys!

  7. Anonymous says:

    The Cayman Islands will get its first Olympic Medal.  I know it will be done by both of these young men.  We are cheering for you, you will make the Cayman Islands proud.  Thank you so much.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Way to go, young men! If I'm lucky (economy, please pick up) I'll get to watch you in person! Go Cayman, go!

  9. Expat Eddie says:

    Best of luck, boys. I'll be waving the Cayman Islands flag.