Magnussen stronger after scrutiny: coach - Sydney Morning Herald

AAP

Swimming sprint star James Magnussen is mentally stronger as a result of the recent Stilnox-induced turmoil, according to coach Brant Best.

The London Olympic 100m freestyle silver medallist was among four of the 4x100m relay squad competing at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on day one of the NSW titles.

All of them qualified for Friday's 100m freestyle final.

Magnussen (48.90 seconds) was the leading qualifier followed by Tommaso D'orsogna (50.11, fourth), James Roberts (50.29, joint sixth) and Cameron McEvoy (50.48, eighth).

It is the first time since a revelatory press conference on February 22 that so many of the 4x100m relay squad have been together in competition.

All but Roberts admitted to taking the banned sedative Stilnox at a pre-Olympic camp in Manchester last year.

The relay squad members also admitted to playing childish pranks on some of their teammates.

Best described the vibe on pool deck during Friday's morning heats as normal, as did 100m Olympic backstroke silver medallist Emily Seebohm, who complained about phantom door knocks in Manchester.

"I think for me it's just like `that's it, start fresh'," Seebohm said.

"I take people for who they are and not what they've done, and I'll just deal with it.

"It's all pretty comfortable around here. We've all been here before, and it's pretty normal."

Best said Magnussen was coping well with all the scrutiny he had been placed under.

"He's actually buffered pretty well from it," Best told reporters.

"It's affected him, but he's done a really good job of putting up a barrier between what's been going on outside and what's been going on in the water."

He was certain the ordeal had made Magnussen stronger.

"Absolutely, There is an opportunity in everything," Best said.

"The opportunity to learn and to mature and to grow up and look at what you've done and do a better job.

"Mistakes are only an opportunity and that's the way we're looking at it."

Best said Magnussen was getting strong support from his teammates.

"They know that he's a good guy and they know that he's got a good heart and he means well," Best said.

The antics of the 4x100m squad have not discouraged other swimmers from wanting to be part of it, according to Kenneth To, the second fastest qualifier for the 100m freestyle final.

"Definitely not, I look up to the 4x100 team. They are a great bunch of guys," To said.