Ireland Putting An Increased Focus On Relays In The Lead-Up To 2020

Swim Ireland has put together two groups of athletes that will gain international experience this summer in preparation for the upcoming 2018 European Championships, along with the 2019 World Championships and ultimately the 2020 Olympic Games.

The first group, comprised of female athletes, competed at the Canet stop of the Mare Nostrum tour and will continue in Barcelona.

The second group was primarily focused on relays, as Ireland has identified that the men’s 400 free, the men’s 400 medley and the mixed 400 medley relays are their best chances to field a relay team in the Olympic Games, something they’ve never done before. This group will have a 7-day training camp in Ostia before travelling to Rome to compete in the Sette Colli Trophy. Athletes who will be swimming at the European Junior Championships won’t be able to attend as the dates clash.

In order for a relay to qualify for the Olympics, they would either need to place in the top-12 at the 2019 World Championships, or be one of the four fastest out of the remaining countries in the relay between March 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020.

The swimmers who will be apart of the relay camp are as follows:

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Lpman
6 years ago

Shane Ryan done swimming?

Brutus
Reply to  Lpman
6 years ago

Know he is finished with eligibility BUT has he graduated yet?

KeithM
Reply to  Lpman
6 years ago

No. He’s competing at the ECs in Glasgow.

Brutus
6 years ago

Great move on Ireland’s part. Relays are so exciting and inspirational for the athletes.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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