Manchester International Swim Meet to go ahead under strict Covid-19 protocols

The Manchester International Swim Meet will go ahead as planned on the 12 – 14 February, following guidelines from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The format of the event has been revised and those competing are on the government-approved Elite Athlete Return to Training lists.

Although start lists have not yet been announced, the Manchester Aquatics Centre is set to welcome the likes of Adam Peaty, James Wilby, Luke Greenbank, Ellie Simmonds and Ellie Robinson.

British Swimming say that the event will allow ‘key competition opportunity’ for British swimmers who are targeting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

However, anyone involved with the competition will have to provide a negative lateral flow test upon arriving at the meet hotel and will be required to confine themselves to the meet hotel, the Manchester Aquatics Centre and private transport as part of a ‘competition bubble’.

The robust testing process has been developed in conjunction with the Manchester Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes Public Health England.

Face coverings and social distancing will also be mandatory at all times, other than when swimmers are in the water.

Very grateful to Manchester

British Swimming chief executive Jack Buckner said: “We are very grateful to Manchester for their hard work to allow this event to happen during such difficult times for the whole country, including our aquatics community.

“The health and safety of all involved, from athletes right through to volunteers, is our absolute priority, and we are confident that the measures we have put in place are extremely robust and will keep everyone as safe as possible.

“We acknowledge that as the British governing body for aquatics, we are in an extremely privileged position to be able to continue with our activity during this lockdown, whilst observing all the Covid regulations.

“Our thoughts are also with the wider aquatics community and we shall support all of the Home Nations’ efforts to return to the water as soon as permitted.”