Australian swim team let their hair down ahead of Rio Olympics

FROM Stilnox to scrabble, parties to fancy dress — this is the PG-rated Australian Olympic swim team of 2016.

The Australian team enjoy some bonding in Auburn, Alabama. Picture: www.instagram.com/james.magnussen/

FROM Stilnox to scrabble, parties to fancy dress — this is the PG-rated Australian Olympic swim team of 2016.

Unlike four years ago in London, when a case of late-night relay team bonding turned into unwanted hijinks, this time the Dolphins are on their best behaviour if not somewhat badly attired.

They’re dressed up in teams, using the Olympic uniform to turn themselves into ninja turtles, bumblebees and even Qantas pyjamas.

It is swim team bonding 2016 style — a night of old fashioned fun where coaches, support staff and mobile phones are booted out of the room so the athletes can laugh together and become a united group in complete privacy.

That is until they all leave the room to immediately post images on Instagram.

Here in the tiny university town of Auburn, a 90-minute drive south-west of Atlanta, in the United States the swim team need to find their own way to entertain themselves.

And the swimming administrators couldn’t be happier.

It was at the staging camp in Manchester prior to the 2012 London Olympics when Australia’s campaign fell apart as the men’s 4x100 freestyle relay team caused unrest with their infamous stilnox initiation.

Late night door knocking and phone calls to female swimmers in the team was later identified as a source of major angst within the team as the relay swimmers - under the influence of stilnox - behaved like rock stars.

The Australian Swim team are in camp at Auburn a town in Alabama that revolves around the University and especially their football team the Tigers. Picture: Adam Head

Auburn is home to the War Eagles. Picture: Adam Head

The fallout to the “toxic” team culture in London sparked major reforms and changes within the swim team, including the introduction of a leadership group which now drives the team environment and activities.

Headed by experienced quartet Cate Campbell, Bronte Barratt, Thomas Fraser-Holmes and Matt Abood the Dolphins now revel in each other’s company and have found enjoyment where there was once lingering animosity or resentment.

They’ve been here in sweet home Alabama for over a week now and without much to do outside of sleep, eat and train, cabin fever must slowly be creeping in.

As far as staging camps go, Auburn ticks many boxes. Isolated from the world but with first class facilities, there are no distractions for the athletes.

That in itself could be a blessing or a curse. For almost two weeks leading into the Olympics the swim team are living in an Olympic bubble. Some might enjoy it, others might crave normality.

There’s not much for them to do in Auburn. Aside from stroll the main street, buy a coffee at the local café and perhaps walk into any of the four Auburn University souvenir stores.

This is a football town and right now everyone is on summer break.

It is all but empty. But signs everywhere remind you that football season is just “40 days away.”

The Australian Swim team are in camp at Auburn, a town in Alabama that revolves around the University and especially their football team the Tigers, where they have a 88,000 capacity stadium. Picture: Adam Head

Auburn is a town with a population of just over 50,000 – yet they boast an 88,000-seat stadium for their football team at Jordan Hare Stadium.

It is like putting the MCG or ANZ Stadium in the middle of Rockhampton or Wagga.

The town is Tiger mad. Their colours – orange and blue – are everywhere you look. United States flags fly outside some homes, others proudly fly the AU (Auburn University) flag.

This was the team that in 2010 boasted Cam Newton as their star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner as Auburn won the national championship.

In the local souvenir store photos and memorabilia hang on the walls, all items are for sale (at just under $US1000 each) except for Newton’s signed Auburn jersey. It is priceless.

This is a place where stars are made. The Australian swim team will hope a bit of the “War Eagle” spirit of the university team rubs off on them before they depart for Rio at the end of the week.

Originally published as Australian swim team let their hair down ahead of Rio Olympics