Beatriz Gomez has gone under the Olympic qualifying standard in the 200 IM by swimming a 2:13.01 this week at the Mare Nostrum series stop in Canet, France.
Gomez’s time cleared the FINA “A” standard of 2:13.11, and makes her the country’s second-fastest IMer in 2016 behind only the country’s top swimmer Mireia Belmonte (2:11.88).
Swimming the Olympic Qualifying Time does not guarantee Gomez a spot on the Olympic Team, as swimmers were only able to earn a guaranteed Olympic spot based on performances at March’s National Championship meet. Instead, the federation will now just have the option to select her, and a release by the Spanish Swimming Federation gives the feeling that it’s a likely invite, with one conflating factor.
That factor is Africa Zamorano, who swam on the country’s European Championships roster, and was a 2:13.28 in the 200 IM at Spain’s National Championship meet. If she were to drop another few tenths and beat Gomez’s time before the entry deadline, she could be considered for that spot as well. Gomez is 26 this year, while Zamorano is 18, and Zamorano is already qualified for the team in other events.
Gomez’s lifetime best int he 200 IM is a 2:12.09 that she swam in 2013. Her best time over the last 18 months (2014 and 2016) prior to this swim was a 2:14.27.
The first 16 athletes to qualify individually for the team are below.
Female team:
- Mireia Belmonte (UCAM Fuensanta)
- Melani Costa (UCAM Fuensanta)
- Duane da Rocha (UCAM Fuensanta),
- Judith Ignacio (CN Sabadell)
- Jimena Perez (CD Gredos San Diego)
- Jessica Vall (CN Sant Andreu)
- Maria Vilas (CN Riveira)
- Africa Zamorano (CN Sant Andreu)
Men’s Team:
- Antonio Arroyo (CN At.-Barceloneta)
- César Castro (CN Plasencia)
- Miguel Durán (CN Sabadell)
- Hugo González (Real Canoe NC)
- Carlos Peralta (Real Canoe NC)
- Joan Lluís Pons (CN Palma de Mallorca)
- Marc Sánchez (CN Sabadell)
- Eduardo Solaeche (Real Canoe NC).
