Tokyo team to step up Olympic Games preparation at European Championships

Britain’s Tokyo-bound swimmers will step up their preparations for the Olympic Games in competitive style at next month’s European Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

Two days after 24 athletes had their names added to the list that will be representing Team GB on the biggest sporting stage later this year, British Swimming has confirmed all of the Olympic team selected so far will head to Hungary’s Duna Arena.

The swimming schedule for the multi-discipline Championships runs from 17-23 May.

The Europeans will provide a chance for the soon-to-be Olympic class of 2021 to further hone their arena skills and build on important training work.

It is also another key qualification opportunity for those who narrowly missed out at the recent British Swimming Selection Trials and will also offer an opportunity for some of the younger names to gain vital major competition experience with Paris 2024 only three years away.

A further 12 swimmers have been included, in addition to the Olympic squad, meaning a 40-strong swimming team will board the plane to Budapest.

On top of that, marathon swimmers Hector Pardoe, Toby Robinson and Emily Clarke will take their place in the squad to compete in the marathon swimming events as part of the Championships.

With international racing opportunities so limited over the past year, National Performance Director Chris Spice is looking forward to seeing British athletes back in the water alongside top-class rivals from across the continent.

‘Another big step forward’

“This event comes at an opportune moment as we step up our final preparations for Tokyo, bringing the team together for the first time since our announcement on Tuesday,” he said.

“Whilst we have enjoyed the experience of domestic racing with the recent Selection Trials and the two meets in Manchester before that, this will be our first time back in international competition in more than a year.

“This will be another big step forward, and we fully support and thank LEN and our fellow European national teams for committing to this important racing opportunity.

“We are confident that the protocols and guidance will be in place to ensure the safest possible environment for our athletes, coaches and support staff.

“The European Championships are also another important element in our Olympic selection policy, so the week of racing will be an opportunity for some athletes to put in the performances they need to and that we know they are capable of.

“It is also a key chance to test out our relay squads and seek Olympic qualification where necessary, whilst for the younger members of the squad, it will be a valuable learning experience on their journey into Paris 2024 and beyond.”

Given the selections already made to the Olympic team, qualification quotas are already filled in the following events:

Women

100m Freestyle; 100m Backstroke; 100m Breaststroke; 200m Breaststroke; 200m Individual Medley

Men

100m Freestyle; 200m Freestyle; 100m Breaststroke; 200m Breaststroke; 100m Butterfly; 200m Individual Medley; 400m Individual Medley

The final Olympic consideration meet will now be called the ‘Glasgow Swim Meet’.

The dates have shifted to 3–6 June, and the meet will have evening heats and morning finals to match the Olympic Games.