Debutants Burras and Colbert in British Swimming's World Championships squad

Nine swimmers are to make their first FINA World Aquatics Championships appearances this summer – including three who will be making their senior international debuts.

They are a part of a 23-strong British Swimming team selected for the event, which is taking place at the iconic Duna Arena, in Budapest, Hungary from 18-25 June.

Eight of Britain’s Olympic champions from the history-making Tokyo 2020 Games team are also included In the squad, which blends experienced championship performers with exciting young talent.

The 2022 World Championships is the benchmark meet for Britain’s elite swimmers at the start of a busy summer of aquatics action and the beginning of the three-year cycle into the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Lewis Burras, Freya Colbert and Medi Harris – who all impressed at last week’s British Swimming Championships – will all be making their senior debuts in Budapest.

Nova Centurion’s Colbert – who set a new personal best as she won the 400m Individual Medley at Ponds Forge – said she hoped to learn from the experience of travelling to Hungary.

Great learning environment

She said:  “I’m super excited to be selected, if not a bit surprised, as my best at British Championships was better than I could’ve imagined! 

“Making my first senior international team is a massive achievement for myself – I know how difficult the transition from junior to senior can be and so I’m excited to be given the opportunity.

“Being on the team with such experienced and successful athletes will create a great learning environment for myself and I can’t wait to get on that plane to Budapest.”

The 2019 World Championships served up a third 50m-100m Breaststroke gold double for Adam Peaty – as well as a brilliant gold-silver combo, with James Wilby, in the 100m event.

There was also a breakthrough 200m Backstroke bronze for Luke Greenbank and that unforgettable Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay triumph, rounded out with a genuinely world-class anchor leg of freestyle from the indomitable Duncan Scott.

Chris Spice, British Swimming’s performance director, said: “It was fantastic to be back at a full British Championships at Ponds Forge last week, seeing exceptional swims from some of our established names alongside a long line of personal bests and standout performances from younger athletes. 

Bringing their best

“While pre-selections for Budapest from our Olympic results meant some swimmers adapted their plans for the meet, we were not short on world-class quality each day. 

“Duncan Scott’s British record in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley was a big highlight, as was that Men’s 200m Freestyle finale, while athletes like Abbie Wood, Daniel Jervis and Lewis Burras all showed the strong positions they are in at this stage of the season with multiple British titles. 

“Now the focus very much turns to ensuring this team can produce season’s best performances when it matters most, on the World Championship stage. 

“We have seen time and again in recent years that our swimmers are capable of bringing their best to the fore at the perfect moment, and we will be working between now and mid-June to make sure everyone is in a position to do that. 

“It was also exciting for the selectors to be able to select so many young, up-and-coming athletes who will gain priceless major arena experience, while also pushing for big swims. 

“Relays have been an important focus for British Swimming over recent years, and our discretionary selections allow us as many relay options as possible as we build towards Paris 2024.”