According to reports, the Pakistan Olympic Association has confirmed that swimmers Lianna Swan and Haris Bandey will represent Pakistan at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.
Swan holds seven Pakistani records, and has plenty of international experience, having previous represented Pakistan at the 2011 World Cup in Dubai, the 2013 Barcelona World Championships, the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and the 2015 Kazan World Championships among other international meets. She’s primarily a breaststroker, but has competed in freestyle and IM at international events, as well. Last summer, she placed 81st in the heats of the 50 free, setting a new Pakistani record. According to the Pakistan Swimming Federation website, she holds the following records (LCM):
50 Free – 28.66
100 Free – 1:03.32
50 Breast – 35.72
100 Breast – 1:19.61
200 Back – 2:37.71
200 IM – 2:32.61
400 IM – 5:26.50
She also competed on all three relays that set Pakistani records at the South Asian Games earlier this year, anchoring the two freestyle relays, and swimming breaststroke in the medley relay.
Bandey compteed last year at the Kazan World Championships, where he finished 47th in the heats of the 200 IM, with a time of 2:22.31. His sister, Anum, represented Pakistan in the 2012 Olympic Game in London
Swimming federations who do not have any athletes meeting a “B” time are eligible to bring one swimmer of each gender to compete in the Olympics, an alternative qualifications called “Universality Places”. These swimmers must have competed at the previous World Championships, and must be approved by FINA.
