Team GB swimmer Liam Tancock uses ballet to be a better swimmer

During a TV interview with the BBC prior to his 100m backstroke semi-final Liam Tancock revealed how ballet played an important part in his preparations for competition swimming.

Speaking to Clare Balding, Liam explained:

“It’s weird, people look at ballet and think ‘why would you do ballet, you’re a swimmer?’. But we look at different athletes and see what attributes have they got and can they transfer to the pool. Look at ballet dancers for example; you’ve got someone who’s slim, got a great core, great physique, very aware of their body position, their hand and feet placement. We want that in the pool, we want a great core we want to be toned. We want to be aware of our hand and feet placement, want to know where our hand enters (the water) and point those toes and kick through the water, so that’s a good cross-over.“.

Liam is just one of many elite athletes that gains from the benefits of ballet.

Liam Tancock is swimming for Team GB in the 100m backstroke final at London 2012 Olympics this evening (19:58), and is expected to do very well.

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Last updated by David at July 30, 2012.