‘Strong and experienced’ British team selected for World Championships

October 21, 2022

A British team packed with ‘strength and experience’ is heading to Australia for the 16th FINA World Championships (25m) 2022.

The 11-strong squad travelling to Melbourne for the six-day competition in December features a host of Olympic and world gold medallists.

It includes sprint specialist Ben Proud, who secured a historic hat-trick of 50m Freestyle world, Commonwealth and European titles in the space of two months earlier this year.

Proud will be looking to defend his 50m Freestyle short course title he won in Abu Dhabi last year.

Adam Peaty will also make his return to the global stage after missing June’s World Championships with a foot injury.

Anna Hopkin, Tom Dean, Luke Greenbank and Abbie Wood are among the other experienced names travelling down under.

‘Solid preparations’

Making their world short course debut at the event, which takes place at the Melbourne Aquatics Centre between 13 and 18 December, is Lewis Burras and Medi Harris.

Chris Spice, British Swimming performance director, said the championships were an ‘important chance’ for the swimmers to continue their ‘solid preparations’ as they head into the new year.

He said: “These World Short Course Championships are a great opportunity for the group to get back into top-level racing early in the season, while also acting as a stepping stone for our ultimate 2023 target of the World Championships in Fukuoka next summer.

”It’s great that we are able to take a team of this strength and experience to Melbourne, including Adam, who unfortunately had to miss an important chunk of last season, athletes like Ben and Tom, who had outstanding summers. Anna is an experienced, world-class short-course racer, and it’s fantastic that Abbie is involved too after having to pull out of last year’s World Short Course meet due to illness.

“There is also an important chance for some of the swimmers to experience another world-class arena as part of their ongoing learnings, and we are excited that the team will be able to get involved in and practice more relays across the meet.

“We have a great group and hopefully we will be able to continue our solid preparations as we head into the new year.”