While the U.S. will send both Sutton and Groome to the Beijing Test Event, only one U.S. swimmer can qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games at the competition. Top finishers at the Beijing Test Event will fill the remaining places for the Olympic 10K marathon swim as only 25 women and 25 men can compete in the event's Olympic debut.
"Kirsten and Chloe are skilled athletes who have proven themselves in international competition," said Mark Schubert, National Team head coach and general manager. "These two swimmers are among our brightest rising stars in open water, and we are hopeful that one of them will advance to represent the U.S. in the Olympic 10K race."
Groome recently competed in the 5th FINA Open Water World Championships in Seville, Spain, where she placed 21st in the 10K open water swim. The top 10 swimmers in the 10K event at World Championships earned an automatic Olympic berth. Sutton, who is a two-time 10K National Champion, earned a bronze medal in the 5K at the Open Water World Championships. In 2007, Sutton also took home a gold medal in the 10K open water swim at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The U.S. will not send any male swimmers to the Beijing Test Event as American swimmer Mark Warkentin qualified for the Olympics following his 7th place finish in the men's 10K at the Open Water World Championships in Seville.
Catherine Vogt and Paul Asmuth will coach Sutton and Groome at the Beijing Test Event. At the recent Open Water World Championships, Vogt served as an assistant coach while Asmuth served as the special assistant to the national team head coach.
