LUCK OF THE IRISH: PETER BANKS IS BACK ON THE POOL DECK

Brandon still feels like home for Peter Banks, the former head coach of the Brandon Bluewave Swim Team. For the past two weeks, Banks has had four members of Irish National Team training at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center. The swimmers have taken in every word of knowledge Banks has spoken, as they prepare for Irish Nationals, just seven weeks away. For the swimmers it's their chance to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Read full article | Watch video

MELANIE WINS BRONZE AT EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Belfast swimmer Melanie Nocher clinched her first major championship medal as she took bronze in the 200m backstroke final at the European Short Course Championships in Poland on Sunday.

Nocher, 23, set her second Irish record of the day as she clocked 2:04.29 in Sunday afternoon's final in Szczecin.

The Irish team member had cut .62secs off her national record in the morning heats with a 2:05.00 clocking.

Ukraine's Daryna Zevina won the gold in a championship record of 2:02.25.

That left her over a second clear of Spain's Duane Da Rocha Marce (2:03.32) with Nocher third ahead of Germany's Jenny Mensing (2:05.48).

Nocher's previous best major championship performance was a fifth place in the 200m backstroke at the 2008 European Short Course Championships.

The Northern Ireland swimmer's medal should be a major boost to her confidence ahead of her attempts to ensure qualification for next summer's London Olympics.

Nocher's morning heat time had qualified her second fastest for the final.

The Belfast swimmer pulled out of Saturday's 400 freestyle final to concentrate on her specialist 200m backstroke.

Nocher set two Irish records in Thursday's 100m backstroke as she finished 15th overall.

COCA-COLA SURPRISE YOUNG PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND MAKING IT THROUGH TO FINAL STAGE OF OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY NOMINATION CAMPAIGN

Coca-Cola informs a selection of ‘Future Flames’ that they’re just one step away from carrying the Olympic Flame during London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay next year.

Coca-Cola today announced that local teenagers, Aymen McGonigle (15) from Maghera, Lucy Camlin (16) from Antrim and Peter Brittain (18) from Bangor have made it through to the final stage of becoming a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers, thanks to Coca-Cola, during the Olympic Torch Relay next year.

Lucy, Peter and Aymen; all extraordinary young people who have a burning passion which brings happiness to others – were handed an invitation to carry the Olympic Flame next year.

MEL AIMS TO BE IN FAST LANE TO LONDON

Melanie Nocher has enjoyed the “crazy” experience of the Olympics and is determined to enjoy it even more in London 2012.

This Friday at the Dutch Open swimming championships in Eindhoven, Nocher will bid to hit the golden A time of 2:10.80 in the 200m backstroke to book her spot in London. So far, only one Irish swimmer has qualified, Dubliner Barry Murphy.

Nocher, a member of Ards ASC, admits she didn't do herself justice at the World championships in the summer and is determined to fulfil her potential by qualifying for London. Click here to read more

THE RACE IS ON FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S FUTURE FLAMES

Last chance to nominate your ‘Future Flames’ for the chance to carry Olympic Flame for Coca-Cola’s London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

Belfast, Friday 26th August 2011: Northern Irish Olympic Swimming hopeful Melanie Nocher today joined forces with Coca-Cola to remind young people here that the closing date to nominate ‘Future Flames’ to carry the Olympic Flame during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is Monday September 5th.

To recognise and reward the positive contributions made by young people every day, Coca-Cola, a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, is calling on everyone in Northern Ireland to nominate the Future Flames they know: young people who use their passion in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities. Nominations can be made at www.cokezone.ie.

Melanie Nocher said: “It’s a great privilege to be involved with Coca-Cola’s ‘Future Flames’ campaign. As a sportsperson, the Olympics is obviously the pinnacle of my sporting career, but the great thing about the ‘Future Flames’ nomination campaign is that it gives everyone the chance to get involved; whatever your passion. The chance to carry the Olympic Flame is an amazing accolade and I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to nominate.”

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola commented: “We have had a phenomenal response to our ‘Future Flames’ campaign since we launched in Northern Ireland back in July. With just over a week left we want to remind everyone to get nominating before our deadline of September 5th. Visit cokezone.ie to give inspirational young people you know the chance to carry the Olympic Flame next summer.”