Hickman urges British re-think

Hickman says Britain have failed to sparkle

Commonwealth champion James Hickman admits Britain's swimmers have failed to set the Olympic pool on fire and says it is time for a serous re-think.

"We have certainly improved as a nation since Atlanta," said Hickman. "It is a stronger team but we have not picked up any medals and that is what everybody wants back home."

"We will have to look at things and ask questions. Are we trying to cater for too many people and not looking after the people who are really good?"

The disappointments continued for Hickman in the Men's 100 metre Butterfly semi-finals on Thursday as he could only finish sixth and fail to keep any hopes alive of claiming a medal.

Although Mark Foster boosted the British camp by reaching the 50 metres freestyle final, the 41-strong squad has failed to win a single medal while the much smaller Dutch team have so far collected three individual golds and a relay bronze.

On fire

Are we trying to cater for too many people and not looking after the people who are really good?

  James Hickman

"The British team has not been on fire here," said Hickman, speaking after qualifying for the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly.

"We have not sparkled. Every one in the team has been consistent, but consistency does not mean anything here.

"Look at Holland. They have got two people who are winning all their medals but if we compared team for team then I think Britain would come out better.

"But no-one cares about that - they have got the gold medals and we have got nothing.

"The swimmers are frustrated because we have all worked very hard and very professionally for the past three years to be here."