40 British Swimmers Are Budapest Bound, With 12 Seeking OLY Qualification

On the heels of British Swimming announcing its initial 28-strong roster for the Olympic Games, the organization has also just revealed the lineup for next month’s European Championships.

According to the nation’s selection policy swimmers still have the chance to qualify to represent GBR in Tokyo this summer if they’re able to hit the established federation standards for an event in which there is an empty slot. The women’s 50m free and men’s 100m back fall into this category, for example.

That means, of the 40-strong European Championships roster, the 12 that have not yet achieved Olympian status will have the chance to snag their spot in Budapest May 17th – 23rd. For those already having been officially named to the Tokyo roster, Euros will serve as a chance for an elite tune-up in anticipation of July’s main event.

Key swimmers seeking qualification include Ed Mildred, Holly Hibbott and Lucy Hope. Mildred placed 3rd in the men’s 200m butterfly at Trials, producing a time of 1:58.04, while Hope wrangled up a trio of podium finishes in London. The Scot logged lifetime bests across the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyles, cracking a Scottish record in the 100m distance.

Finally, for Hibbott, the former Stockport Metro athlete fell short in the 400m free at Trials but has proven she can clinch the stiff 4:05.96 British qualification standard in the event. She owns a lifetime best of 4:05.01 as GBR’s 4th fastest woman all-time, which she posted  at the 2018 European Championships when she took 4th. She is also the reigning Commonwealth Games silver medalist, having hit 4:05.31 in 2018 on the Gold Coast.

National Performance Director Chris Spice said of this Budapest roster,

“This event comes at an opportune moment as we step up our final preparations for Tokyo, bringing the team together for the first time since our announcement on Tuesday.

“Whilst we have enjoyed the experience of domestic racing with the recent Selection Trials and the two meets in Manchester before that, this will be our first time back in international competition in over a year. This will be another big step forward, and we fully support and thank LEN and our fellow European national teams for committing to this important racing opportunity. We are confident that the protocols and guidance will be in place to ensure the safest possible environment for our athletes, coaches and support staff.

“The European Championships are also another important element in our Olympic selection policy, so the week of racing will be an opportunity for some athletes to put in the performances they need to and that we know they are capable of. It is also a key chance to test out our relay squads and seek Olympic qualification where necessary, whilst for the younger members of the squad, it will be a valuable learning experience on their journey into Paris 2024 and beyond.”

Olympic-qualified athletes

Freya Anderson – England, Bath National Centre

Kieran Bird – Wales, Bath National Centre

Kathleen Dawson – Scotland, University of Stirling

Tom Dean – England, Bath National Centre

Luke Greenbank – England, Loughborough National Centre

James Guy – England, Bath National Centre

Anna Hopkin – England, Loughborough National Centre

Calum Jarvis – Wales, Bath National Centre

Dan Jervis – Wales, Swansea University

Harriet Jones – Wales, City of Cardiff

Joe Litchfield – England, Loughborough National Centre

Max Litchfield – England, Loughborough National Centre

Ross Murdoch – Scotland, University of Stirling

Adam Peaty – England, Loughborough National Centre

Jacob Peters – England, Bath National Centre

Ben Proud – England, Bath University

Molly Renshaw – England, Loughborough National Centre

Matthew Richards – Wales, Bath National Centre

Duncan Scott – Scotland, University of Stirling

Alys Thomas – Wales, Swansea University

Sarah Vasey – England, Loughborough National Centre

Jacob Whittle – England, Derventio Excel

James Wilby – England, Loughborough National Centre

Cassie Wild – Scotland, University of Stirling

Brodie Williams – England, Bath National Centre

Aimee Willmott – England, University of Stirling

Alicia Wilson – England, Guildford City

Abbie Wood – England, Loughborough National Centre

European athletes

Elliot Clogg – England, Loughborough National Centre

Evelyn Davis – Scotland, Bromley

Holly Hibbott – England, Bath National Centre

Lucy Hope – Scotland, Edinburgh University

Emily Large – England, Bath National Centre

Keanna MacInnes – Scotland, University of Stirling

James McFadzen – England, Loughborough University

Ed Mildred – England, Northampton SC

Emma Russell – Scotland, University of Stirling

Katie Shanahan – Scotland, City of Glasgow SC

Laura Stephens – England, Plymouth Leander

Tamryn Van Selm – England, Millfield

European marathon swimming athletes

Emily Clarke – England, Loughborough University

Hector Pardoe – England, Ellesmere College Titans

Toby Robinson – England, Loughborough National Centre