English athletes selected for Podium programme 2017

A group of 11 English athletes have been selected for the British Swimming Podium programme for 2017, as swimming enters the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Cycle.

British Swimming have analysed swimmers’ past performances and current form to work out who has the most potential to win future medals on the Olympic stage.

Swimmers are selected for the Podium programme if they are currently working at a medal winning level . Those with a high potential to reach that level are selected for the Podium Potential programme.

Athletes selected for the Podium programme for 2017 include Adam Peaty, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Jack Burnell.

City of Derby swimmer, Peaty, has undoubtedly been the most talked about athlete over the last 12 months, and rightly so. He currently holds the British, European, world, Commonwealth and Olympic titles in the 100m Breaststroke. Peaty is also the world record holder in this event. He won Team GB’s first gold medal in the pool at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, breaking the 100m Breaststroke world record twice on his way.

O’Connor has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months. She honed her skills and pushed herself every step of the way. After her Olympic performance, it seems she still has much more to give. The University of Bath swimmer won silver in the 200m IM, challenging gold medallist Katinka Hosszú of Hungary all the way to the touch. She also set a new British record twice in the process.

Loughborough-based Burnell has had a terrific 12 months, taking silver at the European Open Water Championships in Hoorn. He also won the elite race at the 2016 Great East Swim and qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Burnell held his own in the 10km Marathon event in Rio, but was unfortunately disqualified at the finish line.

British Swimming National Performance Director Chris Spice said: “The sport enjoyed a very successful 2016. We know that our aims and ambitions don’t end there as we now move forward to the 2020 Olympic Games. This year’s investment is going to enable our talented swimmers to continue to achieve their performance targets as they set their sights on Tokyo.

“Our focus on process driven goals supporting our clear medal opportunities has delivered fantastic results in the last three years.  This valuable support has helped us to achieve as a team. I’d like to thank UK Sport and the National Lottery for their continued investment.”

Athletes selected for World Class programmes receive advanced training camp and competition opportunities. They also get access to sports science services and British Swimming performance staff.

Athletes selected for the Podium programme are:

  • Adam Peaty (City of Derby)
  • Aimee Willmott (London Aquatics Centre)
  • Andrew Wills (Felixstowe)
  • Ben Proud (Plymouth Leander)
  • Chris Walker-Hebborn (Ellesmere College Titans)
  • Fran Halsall (Loughborough University)
  • Jack Burnell (Loughborough University)
  • James Guy (Millfield School)
  • Max Litchfield (City of Sheffield)
  • Molly Renshaw (Loughborough University)
  • Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (University of Bath)
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