Brodie Williams: “It’s a huge privilege to swim for England”

With a home Commonwealth Games just around the corner, we take a look at the athletes who will be competing for Team England this summer.

Olympian Brodie Williams will make his Commonwealth Games debut this summer and says it will be a “huge privilege” to wear the lion in Birmingham.

The Bath National Centre swimmer, who was previously in the Millfield school training programme, has had a good year so far after impressing in his inaugural World Championships in Budapest.

He finished fourth in the 200m Backstroke and tenth in the 400m Individual Medley in a massive improvement in his times from Tokyo.

That followed up a hat-trick of silver medals he won at the 2022 British Swimming Championships.

Williams now takes the next step in his International journey in competing for Team England and is excited for the event.

“It’s a huge privilege to swim for England.

“It’s a dream and it’s a unique competition.

“I live with someone that’s on the Welsh team, so it’s weird splitting apart in these home nations, but it’ll be fun and It’s really enjoyable to be a part of.”

After missing out on the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Williams says he’s taken inspiration from those that competed out in Australia.

“I mean obviously looking at the team, I wasn’t actually on the team last time, so I watched that back home and it was unbelievable watching.

“Some of those swimmers we’ve got out here and watching that England team and some of my teammates that I swim with now performing that well it was a huge inspiration.”

With the games being on home turf Williams is hopeful that a strong performance from him and the team will help bring through the next generation of swimmers.

“Obviously being at home, all the home crowd watching, I’m sure they can take a huge inspiration from it.

“Hopefully we can deliver some medals and that’ll be even more inspirational for those young swimmers too.”

“It’s my parents first time watching me since COVID”

In Tokyo, Williams gained valuable experience in reaching his first Olympic semi-final in the 200m Backstroke plus a solid heat performance in the 400m Individual Medley.

He’s come a long way since then including setting a lifetime best in that 200m Backstroke swim at the World Championships in Budapest.

In Birmingham, he will compete in the same two events as he did in Tokyo plus the 100m Backstroke and the 2018 European Champion is looking forward to having his family back in the crowd.

“That was the unfortunate thing with last year in Tokyo. No one could come watch.

“So it’s actually my parents first time watching me since COVID so it’ll be a big experience for them, especially at a home games.

“It’ll be quite noisy I assume when I walk out. So, I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

On his aims for the tournament, Williams is hoping to go one better than his Worlds performance by taking that extra step to get onto the podium.

“I’d love to get on the podium for England.

“Just get on the podium or just fight amongst the medals, all I can do is my best, so that’s what I’m hoping to do.”

Despite it being his Commonwealth debut, Williams is confident in handling the pressure and is looking forward to a once in a lifetime event.

“There is and there isn’t nerves because I’m confident I can deliver.

“I’m quite good at just focusing on my race, but I’ll definitely soak up the atmosphere.

“Because how often can you experience a home games like this? It probably won’t happen again in my career so I’m really looking forward to it.”