How Swim GP may have given a glimpse of the future of para-sport

Simon Smale

29 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

But the biggest benefit may well be the innovations that placed para-swimmers front and centre of the competition at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

2026-11-15 · assertive framing · How Swim GP may have given a glimpse of the future of para-sport

"I couldn't ride my bike, I couldn't train and nothing really went well for me.

2026-11-14 · assertive framing · Australia wins six Youth Olympics medals as African Games hailed

When Max Jorgensen sprinted away to score the Wallabies' first try on the stroke of half time, supporters may have felt a faint stirring of half-remembered joy.

2026-11-08 · assertive framing · Wallabies' woes mount after terrible Twickenham outing

4. Robbie Williams still entertains us Racegoers were given a real musical treat ahead of the race, with 52-year-old British legend Robbie Williams performing both pre and post-race at Flemington.

2026-11-03 · assertive framing · Quick hits: A-listers, mistakes and the King's Melbourne Cup connection

AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE Tue, 29 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus MES Wed, 30 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus SYT live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day five from Newlands, Cape Town Australia looks to chase down 288 runs to win the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with series honours on the line. Follow all the action in our live blog, check out the stats in our match Scorecard and ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates What happened yesterday? There were plenty around the traps who thought that, perhaps, the Test would be finished yesterday.

2026-10-31 · assertive framing · Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

If Kez [Carey] and I could have added another 50, that would have been really nice.

2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looking to push home advantage in Cape Town Test

Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day three from Newlands, Cape Town Australia has a first innings lead over South Africa, and will be looking to build on that on day three of the deciding Test in Cape Town.

2026-10-29 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage on day three in Cape Town

New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Some advice for Head and Renshaw Hi Chris, it would be an understatement to say I'm a bit fidgety waiting for the Aussies start batting.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Live: Australia begins day two at crease after Starc blitz flattens South Africa

Sat, 22 Aug, 11:00 pm, Final score, AUS 210, BAN 64 & 95 Fri, 11 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 117, AAW 4/121 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 235, AUS 8/294 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 7/148, AAW 2/178 Wed, 16 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 161, AAW 5/168 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 272, AUS 6/356 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 6/182, AUU 7/175 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 9/238, SAM 0/58 Fri, 18 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 7/335, VIC 7/339 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 8/271, AUS 9/272 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/239, AAW 235 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 115, TAS 1/117 Sun, 20 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 7/341, AUU 239 Mon, 21 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 358, NSW 6/359 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/338, AAW 8/341 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 4/255, AUU 254 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAM 7/383, TAS 8/376 Wed, 23 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 8/297, AUS 230 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/364, AAW 9/362 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 334 & 199, AUA 171 & 200 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIC 212, NSW 257 Sat, 26 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 9/365, AUS 333 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 494, AUU 217 & 229 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 4/168, QUW 167 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIW 8/293, SAS 7/290 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 6/236, TAW 232 Tue, 29 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 4/145, AUS 9/322 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 364 & 257, AAW 176 & 164 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 174, QUW 4/285 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 7/273, TAW 7/299 Thu, 1 Oct, 2:00 pm, Final score, VIW -, SAS - Thu, 1 Oct, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 167 & 9/310, AUA 358 & 4/173d Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 149, AUA 274 Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, QUW 9/266, BAW 7/196 Wed, 7 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INU 315 & 0/11, AUU 174 & 151 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 3/168, BAW 166 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 206, AUA 275 Sat, 10 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 244 & 224, SAM 508 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 1/222, BAW 6/220 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 275, AUA 226 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 9/500d, TAS 245 & 5/402 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 175 & 8/201, QUE 307 & 68 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 241, SAM 311 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 7/127, ACM 100 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/136, BHW 90 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 7/138, PSW 4/139 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 3/79, MSW 78 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAF 284 & 206, AUS 390 & 6/314d Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 158, TAS 203 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 246, QUE 261 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/78, ACM 7/77 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 4/183, PSW 8/182 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW -, BHW - Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 2/175, BAW 172 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 4/180, MSW 6/179 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 5/165, HHW 8/136 Fri, 16 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 4/86, ACM 83 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 7/397, QUE 271 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 5/136, PSW 8/166 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 5/122, MRW 9/121 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ACM 4/129, MSW 6/132 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 9/105, ASW 6/143 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 8/165, NZW 2/162 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 2/132, HHW 8/129 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 129, ASW 6/139 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 2/93, PSW 92 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 8/155, MSW 5/158 Sun, 18 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 7/167, NZW 8/127 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 6/116, PSW 5/118 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 9/152, SSW 6/153 Tue, 20 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 203 & 145, QUE 238 & 4/114 Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, PSW 7/134, SSW 8/149 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, SAF 9/425d, AUS 99 & 4/156 f/o Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, AUW -, NZW - Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, TAS 241 & 236, VIC 207 & 266 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, WAU 339 & 6/183, NSW 6/440d & 5/262d Thu, 22 Oct, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUW versus BAW Sat, 24 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus VIC Sat, 24 Oct, 5:00 pm, Game not started, WAU versus NSW Tue, 27 Oct, 7:30 pm, Game not started, SAF versus AUS Wed, 28 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus WAU Thu, 29 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus STW Thu, 29 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus HHW Fri, 30 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus NSW Fri, 30 Oct, 11:45 am, Game not started, AU6 versus ONG Fri, 30 Oct, 7:05 pm, Game not started, EN6 versus AU6 Fri, 30 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus SSW Sat, 31 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus VIC Sat, 31 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MSW Sat, 31 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MRW Sun, 1 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus BHW Sun, 1 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus HHW Mon, 2 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus PSW Wed, 4 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus MRW Thu, 5 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus BHW Thu, 5 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus PSW Fri, 6 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus SSW Sat, 7 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus ENG Sat, 7 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus ASW Sat, 7 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus HHW Sun, 8 Nov, 1:40 pm, Game not started, SSW versus STW Sun, 8 Nov, 5:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MSW Tue, 10 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus ASW Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Wed, 11 Nov, 11:30 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Wed, 11 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus STW Thu, 12 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MSW versus BHW Thu, 12 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus SSW Fri, 13 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sat, 14 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus BHW Sat, 14 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus ASW Sun, 15 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SSW versus MRW Sun, 15 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Mon, 16 Nov, 10:00 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Mon, 16 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Mon, 16 Nov, 2:00 pm, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Mon, 16 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus MSW Tue, 17 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus SSW Wed, 18 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 19 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus PSW Thu, 19 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus STW Fri, 20 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MRW Sat, 21 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, HHW versus STW Sat, 21 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, SSW versus PSW Sat, 21 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sun, 22 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus QUE Sun, 22 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, BHW versus ASW Sun, 22 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus MRW Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, day five from St George's Park in Gqeberha South Africa are odds on to level the series with victory in the second Test, with Australia needing a monumental batting effort to salvage a draw in Gqeberha. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Marco's mastery He may have a perpetual scowl on his face on field, but Marco Jansen had plenty to smile about during yesterday's day's play, as he claimed 5-33 in 11 overs. The 26-year-old has had a good mate, scoring 85 runs on Tuesday, his second-highest Test score, before backing up with an accurate display of seam bowling yesterday.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battling to avoid defeat in second Test

The forecast then for the rest of the week also looks improved, so a result here in Gqeberha is not at all out of the question.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battles the weather on day two of second Test

Also by Simon Smale

Australia wins six Youth Olympics medals as African Games hailed

2026-11-14 · ABC News (AU)

Wallabies' woes mount after terrible Twickenham outing

2026-11-08 · ABC News (AU)

Quick hits: A-listers, mistakes and the King's Melbourne Cup connection

2026-11-03 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

2026-10-31 · ABC News (AU)

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 29 articles by Simon Smale →

Swim GP's made for TV, all-action racing format has proven a hit with swimmers and spectators alike. asserted

GP → make → swimmers

But the biggest benefit may well be the innovations that placed para-swimmers front and centre of the competition at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre. uncertain

that → place → Centre

In front of a sold-out crowd, four teams: Kraken, Wahoo, King Tide and Tsunami, competed in a variety of races ranging from skins events through to mystery medley relays. asserted

teams → sell → relays

It's all about who touches the wall first. asserted

who → touch → wall

"It is an opportunity for our athletes, our Paralympic team and our Olympic team, to come together and really showcase what they do," Swimming Australia Paralympic head coach Mel Tantrum said ahead of Saturday's evening events. asserted

Tantrum → come → events

"This is about building the brand, building the profile of the athletes, swimming in prime time in preparation for the next six years. asserted

This → build → years

" Swim GP is not a new idea, and indeed has built on the concepts reintroduced at last year's Australia vs the World in Brisbane. asserted

GP → build → Brisbane

However, crucially, Swim GP has seen para-swimmers take a leading role. asserted

swimmers → see → role

Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse told ABC Sport that involving the para-swimmers "was one of the most important factors" and a "no-brainer" in Swim GP's planning for a couple of reasons. asserted

involving → tell → reasons

"Both our head coaches, Mel Tantrum and Rohan Taylor, they absolutely want a packed stadium for our trials, ideally Sydney next year, but particularly the Olympic/Paralympic trials in '28 in Chandler, one of the reasons being, for the Olympics, SoFi Stadium, with 40,000 screaming Americans and Long Beach for the Paralympics," Woodhouse said. asserted

Woodhouse → want → Paralympics

"Some of those [para-]athletes do have sensory issues, so for them to have some experience coming out to all of that noise and those bright lights, the flashing lights and all those sorts of things is really, really important. asserted

have → have → things

"So there's quite an important benefit from Swim GP for those para-athletes that do have to deal with those things to get more accustomed to a noisy venue, to a bright flashy venue and things like that. asserted

that → be → that

[Also] that aspirational view that these athletes can provide, whether they're para-athletes or able-bodied athletes, to the young kids at home, and there's a lot of kids with various disabilities that don't have opportunities to get into a pool or to even just get involved in the other sports. asserted

that → provide → sports

So, just being able to showcase our amazing para-athletes and what they do is a really critical factor." asserted

they → showcase → what

Tantrum agreed, saying integrating the two programs was vital. " asserted

integrating → agree → programs

Swimming Australia is really inclusive in terms of the parity between Olympic and Paralympic programs and making sure our swimmers across both programs are really profiled and really supported," Tantrum said. asserted

Tantrum → make → programs

"The athletes are loving being part of a bigger team. asserted

athletes → love → team

Those sort of innovative, creative competitions make the athletes feel they're part of an elite team. asserted

they → make → team

It's not just para, it's not separate, it's part of being the Australian Dolphins swim team and both programs coming together. asserted

programs → come → ?

The athletes are fully integrated team members. asserted

athletes → integrate → ?

They don't sit separately. asserted

They → sit → ?

They've got the same uniform, same bleachers, same team meetings. asserted

They → get → uniform

And I think that's, for the athletes, it's a chance for them to really showcase their athleticism. asserted

them → think → athleticism

And yeah, whether you're Olympic or Paralympic, you know, able-bodied or have a disability, it doesn't matter. asserted

it → know → disability

You're an elite athlete first and you're here to perform." asserted

you → perform → ?

New tech bringing para-sport into the mainstream One of the biggest challenges in para-sport when there are a limited number of athletes, is integrating multiple classifications and how to accurately, and fairly, ensure a level playing field. asserted

One → bring → field

In a standard multi-class meet, swimmers with varied impairments all start their races at the same time, with the winner determined by how close a swimmer gets to the world record in their particular classification. asserted

swimmer → start → classification

That's all well and good but, for spectators, it can get confusing as to who as actually won because the winner does not always touch the wall first. asserted

winner → get → wall

Swim GP gets around this by having a staggered start, with lights on the blocks for each swimmer. asserted

GP → get → swimmer

The time-gap is determined based on a swimmer's season best in a particular distance and should result in a blanket finish — far more appealing for spectators. asserted

gap → determine → spectators

"I think it's a really good idea to then see everyone come up towards each other and finish pretty closely," Paralympic legend Lakeisha Patterson told ABC Sport. asserted

Patterson → think → Sport

"It makes it an exciting race, I think, towards the end. asserted

I → make → end

"I think for an event that isn't preparing for a world champs or a major international meet, this is really good for fans to see how multi-class swimming works." asserted

swimming → think → champs

Patterson competed in, and won, Saturday night's opening race, a multi-class, mixed 100m event where each swimmer swam a different stroke, with Patterson unusually swimming butterfly, which she noted "definitely" won't be on her program for next year's world championships. asserted

she → compete → championships

Perhaps she should reconsider. asserted

she → reconsider → ?

Patterson, who is classified as an S9 swimmer, swam a PB to blitz the field, although the other three swimmers; Tim Hodge (S9), Ben Hance (S14) and Keira Stephens (S10), were far closer together. asserted

who → classify → field

"It doesn't matter what their classification is and, in some cases, what their gender is," Tantrum explained. asserted

Tantrum → matter → cases

"It's some new tech that we're trialling for the first time on the block so that athletes, no matter what their class or their gender, they can race together. asserted

they → trialle → block

"With this [Swim GP] format, it's basically who touches the wall first is the winner. asserted

touches → touch → wall

"These staggered starts and close finals make the crowd get right into it. asserted

crowd → make → it

…and 16 more, not listed.

How Swim GP may have given a glimpse of the future of para-sport

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