Olympic Team set for European Championships

Britain’s swimmers bound for the 2016 Olympic Games will make a vital stop on the road to Rio when they compete at next month’s LEN European Championships in London.

The entire team selected to compete for Great Britain in Rio will also represent the nation at the European Championships where the swimming events run from 16 to 22 May at the London Aquatics Centre.

British Swimming National Performance Director Chris Spice believes a home European Championships will provide an invaluable preparation opportunity for the team of 26 prior to their South American campaign.

“This event comes at a perfect time within our preparations for the Rio Games and will provide a fantastic competition opportunity while the athletes continue to train towards the Olympics,” said Spice.

“As a team we couldn’t have asked for anything better. A major international event at an iconic 2012 Olympic venue provides a unique experience for the team as it continues its hard work towards the Games.”

The team will feature triple world champion Adam Peaty, double World Champion James Guy, individual world medallists such as Jazz Carlin and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor as well as a host of other world, European and Commonwealth medallists.

“This event also provides a wonderful opportunity for the British public to get to see and support our stars of swimming in home waters once again,” said Spice.

“What better way to get behind the team on the road to Rio than to show your support as they take on the best in Europe. We urge people to back the team in London and follow us all of the way to Rio.”

British Swimming will also use the event to continue the development of a group of athletes identified as potential Tokyo 2020 Olympians.

A Target Tokyo group of swimmers, identified by performances at the British Championships in Glasgow this month, will compete alongside their senior British team mates as they develop their experience and skills.

“A home European Championships represents a great opportunity to expose athletes targeting the Tokyo Olympics to high level international competition,” explained Tim Jones, British Swimming Head of Performance Pathway.

“We have selected 16 additional athletes for the British team who are on their development journey to Tokyo 2020 to ensure that we have our eyes on the future as well as a focus on Rio”

The British Swimming Team selected to compete at the LEN European Championships in London (16-22 May) with Scottish swimmers highlighted in bold comprises:

Target Tokyo athletes selected to compete at the LEN European Championships are:

Article courtesy of British Swimming 

For  more information, please contact David Richards, Head of Communications on david.richards@swimming.org or 07789926136