Swimming: Dozen can pack togs

Swimming New Zealand successfully appealed for an expanded squad to compete at October's Commonwealth Games with 12 swimmers named to travel to Delhi.

The announcement followed the week-long national swimming championships in Auckland, when seven swimmers successfully met qualification times.

With those up for selection needing to demonstrate a capability of a top-six finish in Delhi, Swimming NZ successfully petitioned the New Zealand Olympic Committee to extend the squad.

The change was based on a re-evaluation of recent times worldwide.

Swimming NZ performance and pathways general manager Jan Cameron said the initial qualification targets agreed with the NZOC were set against world times 12 months ago.

Since then, times around the world, particularly at the Australian trials last month, had eased back after the controversial rubber swimming suits had been banned.

"We have applied the same criteria of top six ranking in the Commonwealth based on these latest results and information," Cameron said.

"We have adjusted the criteria to 890 Fina points and, under this weighting, it means there are an additional five swimmers under the qualifying ranking for the Commonwealth Games.

"The NZOC selectors were satisfied all swimmers meet top-six selection criteria."

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games team is expected to total about 185 competitors in 18 sports.

- NZPA

NZ Commonwealth Games swimming squad

Daniel Bell (North Shore) 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke; Lauren Boyle (North Shore) 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay; Moss Burmester (North Shore) 200m butterfly; Melissa Ingram (North Shore) 200m backstroke; Hayley Palmer (North Shore) 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay; Glenn Snyders (North Shore) 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke; Natalie Wiegersma (Waverley, Southland) 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley; Tash Hind (Capital) 200m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay; Penelope Marshall (North Shore) 200m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay; Amaka Gessler (Aqua Gym) 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay; Emily Thomas (North Shore) 100m backstroke; Gareth Kean (Capital) 200m backstroke.