By Sports Reporter/Doha


Members of Australia’s 2014 Commonwealth Games swim team are currently undergoing an intensive training programme at Aspetar in preparation for the Glasgow games in July.
Utilising the Hamad Aquatic Centre for their training sessions, the team has committed itself to a nine day ‘live-high train-low’ programme at Aspetar in conjuction with the use of altitude tents prior to their arrival, in order to take advantage of Aspetar’s advanced altitude-inducing normobaric hypoxic (oxygen reduced) rooms.
Commenting on the training camp Dr Khalifa al-Kuwari, Director General of Aspetar, said: “We are delighted to welcome members with Australia’s 2014 Commonwealth Games swim team to Aspetar to use our many services designed to enable athletes to reach their maximum potential. The normobaric hypoxic chamber is but one example of the progressive facilities on offer here at Aspetar.”
Widely regarded as one of world’s strongest swim teams, the Australian selection is comprised of internationally recognised athletes including Belinda Hocking, Ellen Gandy, and Travis Mahoney.  The swimmers are spending up to 14 hours-a-day in the normobaric chambers at Aspetar in order to ensure proper exposure to a high altitude environment while conducting all swim and dry land training at sea level.
Meanwhile, the team is also set to return to Doha in September to undergo a similar programme ahead of the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships to be held in Qatar in December.