Britain Select 38 For Home Games
Mar 10, 2012 - Craig Lord
After eight days of trials at the London Aquatics Centre, Britain selected 38 swimmers for its home Games squad, with relays to be confirmed and additions to be made at team top-up trials in Sheffield in June.
The last additions to the team today were Daniel Fogg and David Davies, on 14:55.30 and 15:00.73 in the 1500m freestyle respectively - while Fran Halsall booked a third swim with a mega moment: 24.13 in the 50m free, matching the fastest ever in a textile suit - the speed of Inge De Bruijn (NED) back at Sydney 2000. Race reports to follow.
The count of qualifiers 12 men and 16 women raced inside the target times set at the equivalent of around 16th best in the world last year across all 26 solo Olympic events. Keri-Anne Payne had already been selected courtesy if the world 10km title she claimed in Shanghai last summer. A further two women and seven men (among them 19 making their Olympic debuts), are named for relays.
Top-up team trials will be held in Sheffield in June for those seeking to take up places not already filled under the Olympic rule of two swimmers per nation in each event.
The baby of the shoal so far is Jessica Lloyd, 16, while Craig Benson, at 17, is the youngest man. James Goddard, at 29, and Caitlin McClatchey, 26, are the veterans of the squad.
The Britain Team for 2012:
(athlete/coach/club or British Gas Intensive Training Centre/event)
Women:
Men:
Relay members:
Women:
Men:
After the swimmers were paraded on the pool deck last night and received by head coach Dennis Pursley and performance director Michael Scott, Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "I am thrilled to welcome a total of 38 swimmers to Team GB. The remarkable strength and depth of British talent within the sport of swimming has been on display throughout the past week in the London 2012 Aquatics Centre. Team GB enjoys a proud tradition in Olympic swimming competition and I’m sure the class of 2012 will produce some thrilling moments in the Olympic competition this summer.
“Many of the swimmers selected to Team GB today have enjoyed success at European, Commonwealth and World level, and I am sure they will be looking to translate their form on to the Olympic stage where they will be encouraged by the support of a passionate and enthusiastic home crowd.
“Based on the times that were recorded during the qualifying event this week, it is clear that the Olympic Development Authority and LOCOG have got it right in building this world-class venue, and we hope to see many inspirational performances from Team GB swimmers in the summer.”