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Australian head coach Alan Thompson is searching for answers regarding the apparent pollution that has settled over the Olympic pool in Beijing.
The national team graced the Water Cube for the first time this evening only to find the smog that has blanketed the Olympic city today infiltrating the space-age aquatic centre.
About half of the Australian swim team have respiratory problems and the thin blanket of pollution is a concern with the swimming program starting Saturday.
Australian Olympic bosses have invested heavily in finding ways to allow the athletes to perform to their potential in the heavily-polluted city.
“I am trying to find an answer to that question … I did notice the haze,” Thompson said today.
It had been thought the indoor nature of the pool would safeguard the swimmers from problems such as asthma which is known to afflict world record holders Grant Hackett, Libby Trickett and Jess Schipper.
Not all of the Dolphins attended today’s session with stars Eamon Sullivan and Leisel Jones opting not to come to the Olympic venue tonight.
Thompson said some swimmers had decided to train at a nearby university pool where there was more space than the packed Water Cube.
The pool deck provided the clearest indication the Olympics are just around the corner as superstars took to the water.
Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband, who is trying to become the first man to claim three straight 100m freestyle titles, looked in great shape before his battle over two laps with Australian sprinter Eamon Sullivan.
Korean world champion Park Tae Hwan was also at the Water Cube, plotting his campaign to take down Grant Hackett again in the 400m.
Meanwhile American superstar Michael Phelps touched down in Beijing today but managed to escape a large media throng.
Thompson said it was important for his swimmers to get comfortable in the 17,000-seat environment before the nine-day swimming program.
The unique venue has been sold out for months and the setting is expected to be one of the highlights of the Games.
There were no tears on the pool deck this time around following Libby Trickett’s emotional outburst on first sighting the Athens pool four years ago.
“Everyone will come in and get a feel for the place,” Thompson said.
Thompson said that four Australian swimmers had been drug tested last night and expected most of the team to be tested before the competition starts this weekend.
They may have been quiet at the airport but the American swimmers made their presence instantly felt at the pool.
They formed a huddle and loudly chanted “U-S-A” before breaking up into their training.