Swimming: Plunging into debt for Olympics

Two New Zealand swimmers are determined to attend an altitude training camp in the United States to hone their Olympics preparations, even if their families must dip into debt.

National swim coach Brett Naylor said Canterbury's Helen Norfolk and Dunedin's Jonathan Duncan were committed to travelling to Arizona and New Mexico next week.

He hoped to have a definitive answer from Dunedin's Elizabeth van Welie by the end of this week.

The trio had to raise $11,000 each before departing and all were struggling despite support from local businesses and individuals.

Naylor, who will also make the trip, said there had been some tremendous backing from the community.

This was underlined by a surprise $2000 donation for Norfolk from two former New Zealand sports personalities.

Norfolk's father, Allan, was stunned to receive the cheque from a man and his sister who both wanted to remain anonymous.

"He just walked in and said, 'here's $1000 from both of us' - I couldn't believe it."

Norfolk had raised a total of $8000, including support from the Sports Foundation and a Christchurch bar.

The swimmers have been offered free accommodation in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the team hope to spend 10 days.

They will also spend 10 days in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Norfolk has never trained at altitude before, but is convinced it will enhance her performance for the Sydney Olympics.

"It's harder to breathe and increases the red blood cells," she said.

"When you come back down you take in more oxygen and swim faster."

- NZPA

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