British Swimming explains decision behind Summer Meet qualifying window

British Swimming has explained the decision-making process behind the qualifying window for the British Summer Championships and Swim England Summer Meet.

It was announced that the qualification window had been altered following the coronavirus outbreak – and retrospective long-course performances achieved in the period 1 July 2019 to 12 March 2020 would be used.

British Swimming has since issued a further statement clarifying the reasons for that decision.

It read: “The decision making around the qualifying window for the British Summer Championships was made by our Performance Implementation Group, which comprises representatives of both the British Swimming and the respective Home Nation performance swimming programmes.

Fairest for the majority

“No decision around qualifying windows, dates or standards are taken lightly as we understand the impact these have on training, preparation and competition plans for athletes, their coaches and families.

“On this occasion, the Performance Implementation Group has had to weigh up a range of factors to arrive at a workable solution in the context of current Government guidance, but ultimately unanimously decided on the 1 July 2019 to 12 March 2020 window.

“As with all such decisions, there will be some individuals impacted more than others, but on balance the proposed window is viewed as being the fairest for the majority.”

The British Summer Championships are due to take place at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge International Pool from 21-26 July, with the Swim England National Summer Meet at the same venue between 29 July and 2 August.

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