Brum's swimming hopes floundering; PARALYMPICS: Labour attacks council after gold medallist abandons city.

Byline: By Jane Tyler

BIRMINGHAM's council leaders have defended their record on maintaining swimming pools after a Paralympic athlete abandoned the city, citing the lack of training facilities.

Eleanor Simmonds, aged 13, won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle at the Beijing games last Sunday, having started swimming at five with Boldmere Swimming Club.

As her talent developed her family decided to move from Birmingham to Swansea so she could be near a 50 metre pool.

Labour opposition leader Sir Albert Bore asked leisure chief Ray Hassall if Eleanor's move was an embarrassment to Birmingham, which prided itself on being an international sporting city.

"If we do manage to build a 50 metre pool, it won't be ready for 2012," he said.

"Can Coun Hassall assure me it will be completed by then so that potential swimmers based in Birmingham can train for the Games?"

Coun Hassall said that when Labour was in charge, pools had closed, but the Tory-Lib Dem coalition was now "forging ahead" with plans for and Olympic-sized pool.

"Under Labour, Nechells Baths closed, as did Stirchley and Monument Road," he said.

"This administration is coming close to building a 50 metre pool."

Coun Hassall (Lib Dem, Perry Barr) added: "We don't close pools, and the one that is closed in Sutton Coldfield is costing pounds 3.5 million and that is for essential maintenance."

Coun Hassall said he would "endeavour" to have a 50 metre pool by 2012, but Coun Bore (Ladywood) said that was just "huff and bluff".

Coun Tom Ansell, Mayor of Walsall, where Eleanor was born, said: "We are proud of her achievements and we are looking at what form of civic recognition is appropriate."

CAPTION(S):

GOLDEN GIRL... dwarf swimmer Eleanor Simmonds celebrates gold in China.