A competitor at the World Swimming Championships in Australia has trained in a swimming pool for the first time.

Anlloyd Samuel, 17, usually practices in rock pools in the Pacific Ocean.

He will be the only representative in the championship for the Palau Islands, which are part of the Micronesian group of islands.

Anlloyd, from the island of Hatohobei which has a population of just eight, some 555 east of the Philipines, is hoping for olympic recognition in time for Sydney 2000.

Bismark Brel from the Palau Swimming Association said the whole experience of the world championships in Perth, Australia, was vital to Anlloyd.

"It is part of a learning curve," he said. "It is a chance for him to compete with some of the world's best swimmers."

If Palau's Olympic application is accepted it will be the smallest nation to compete in the Sydney Games.

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