The British Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed today that 38 swimmers have been officially selected to Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The 19 male and 19 female swimmers achieved their places on Team GB by securing the FINA ‘A’ or top 16 world ranked qualifying standard and finishing in the top two places at this week’s qualification event at the London 2012 Aquatics Centre.
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The group of swimmers selected to Team GB contains 20 swimmers who hold British records; and 12 swimmers who have won World Championship medals. The squad includes Beijing 2008 double Olympic Champion Rebecca Adlington, open water silver medallists Keri-Anne Payne and David Davies, and 400m freestyle bronze medallist Joanne Jackson.
The athletes selected today as members of Team GB are:
The athletes were formally nominated to the BOA by British Swimming, which is the National Governing Body for swimming in the UK.
British swimmers have an excellent tradition of success in Olympic competition, having won 65 medals – 15 gold, 22 silver and 28 bronze. This includes a hat-trick of gold medals won by Britain’s Henry Taylor at the London 1908 Olympic Games swimming competition.
At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Team GB swimmers won three medals in the pool: Rebecca Adlington won gold in the 400m freestyle and 800m freestyle and Joanne Jackson won bronze in the 400m freestyle. Team GB also won three medals in the open water 10km events.
With today’s announcement, 59 athletes have now been selected to Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games from four sports: athletics – marathon, boxing, sailing and aquatics - swimming.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said:
“I am thrilled to welcome a total of 38 swimmers to Team GB. The remarkable strength and depth of British talent within the sport of swimming has been on display throughout the past week in the London 2012 Aquatics Centre. Team GB enjoys a proud tradition in Olympic swimming competition and I’m sure the class of 2012 will produce some thrilling moments in the Olympic competition this summer.
“Many of the swimmers selected to Team GB today have enjoyed success at European, Commonwealth and World level, and I am sure they will be looking to translate their form on to the Olympic stage where they will be encouraged by the support of a passionate and enthusiastic home crowd.
“Based on the times that were recorded during the qualifying event this week, it is clear that the Olympic Development Authority and LOCOG have got it right in building this world-class venue, and we hope to see many inspirational performances from Team GB swimmers in the summer.”
Michael Scott, Team GB Swimming Team Leader and British Swimming National Performance Director said:
“This GB swimming team is a real mix of tried and tested experienced former Olympians together with an exciting crop of talented youngsters who will sample their first Olympics in London.
“This week has seen some impressive performances at the national championships but our job is far from done.
“Collectively we now have the time and opportunity to improve upon the performances this week to make sure we are as competitive as possible for when the rest of the world arrives in London in July.”
Roberto Pavoni said: “It's an incredible feeling. It's been a dream of mine for quite a few years so to qualify for the Olympics is amazing.”
Robbie Renwick said: “I'm absolutely ecstatic. I've been hitting personal bests in training and I've really stepped up for the Olympic year. Hopefully we can keep the ball rolling now all the way to the Olympics.”
Joe Roebuck said: “I'm on top of the world right now. It doesn't get any better really. I missed out four years ago and obviously I hung around, kept working and improved and now I've got three swims. Once before I had a triple British Champs gold and this time it was two golds and silver but the fact that they all went for Olympic qualification means this was definitely the best of my career.”
Ellen Gandy said: “It’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever had. I’ve wanted to do it for the last four years to be able to say I’m going to the London Olympic Games and now I can say it – I’m just over the moon.”
Hannah Miley said: “I’m very, very happy. I'm really pleased with how that went and hopefully I can progress on before the Games.”
Gemma Spofforth said: “I am really excited. I doubted a lot of times that I could do it. If I hadn’t qualified that would have been it so I just wanted to give it everything I’ve got and leave everything in the pool.”
Fran Halsall said: “To get on the team is great. I'm in such good form at the moment so if I can carry that through to the Olympic Games, hopefully I can swim a bit faster there.”