De Bruin: Irish swimmers unprepared

CONTROVERSIAL former swimming champion Michelle De Bruin, who won three gold medals at the Atlanta Olympics amid unproven allegations that she took drugs, has criticised Irish swimmers and Swim Ireland for not being properly prepared in Beijing.

The 38-year-old barrister also expressed dismay at Irish athletes’ criticism of Sport Minister Martin Cullen who travelled first-class to Beijing while they went economy class.

“Really athletes at this stage should be focusing on their own race, on their own competition and shouldn’t let things like that interrupt their preparation. I have been to three Olympics and you generally wouldn’t even know what minister is where at what time. It’s not important for your preparation,” she said.