Great Britain’s swimmers were drinking in the Olympic qualification last-chance saloon as they headed to Glasgow and for Laura Stephens, leaving it all in the pool ultimately paid the biggest of dividends.
With Team GB’s Tokyo 2020 swimming squad already named, the British Swimming Glasgow Meet is the final opportunity for additional athletes to clock the Olympic consideration time and potentially become a late addition to the group.
Stephens did exactly that as she obliterated her PB during the women’s 200m butterfly heats before backing it up in the final, a time of 2:08.15 dipping under the Tokyo standard and helping her win the race ahead of the already-selected Alys Thomas.
Now it’s a waiting game for the 22-year-old but she was proud of the way she responded to recent setbacks to put herself in the Tokyo frame.
“I couldn't really ask for much more at this meet,” said Stephens. “It's been really tough turning it round after Selection Trials, having a bit of a disappointing swim there, and Europeans also, more strong swims but outside the consideration time.
“So to come here and get it twice, with a pretty substantial PB yesterday, was really the icing on the cake. Third time's a charm, isn't it?!
“In all honesty, I didn't come in with any expectations, I just came in with an open mind. We've been in a bit of a difficult situation with training, do we taper, do we not taper, so I'm not exactly fully rested for this meet.
“I just came in and thought, 'it's my last shot, so I'm going to give it everything I have' - and it's paid off.”
Cameron Kurle also achieved the Olympic consideration time on day two of the meet, as he touched the wall in 1:46.90 in the men’s 200m freestyle final – fourth in the race behind Olympic-bound trio Duncan Scott, Tom Dean and James Guy.
The strength in depth of men’s 200m free swimming in GB could count against Kurle as he looks for selection to a second Games – having been knocked out in the heats at Rio 2016.
Scott and Dean secured the two Tokyo places in the event at the British Selection Trials last month but, with the 4x200m freestyle relay also being a consideration, Scott gave a shout-out to the 23-year-old Kurle.
“Look at that, that's a world-class field right there,” said race winner Scott. “I've got to say a special mention to Cam Kurle.
“To go 1:46.6 at night, coming back, being in lane four of a heat like that and going 1:46.9, it would've been a PB if he didn't swim last night. He's a really good training partner as well.
“It's always a pleasure racing those boys, really honest efforts throughout the season. It's a really good, competitive environment, which is what you need.
“It's really good to see. With it being a relay event as well, as much as we all are competing against each other, it makes it a special rivalry because we are teammates at the end of the day. I think that comes first, and then the rivalry comes second.”
A host of other already-selected athletes also impressed in the morning finals in Glasgow, including reigning Olympic champion Adam Peaty looking as imperious as ever to win the men’s 100m breaststroke final in a time of 58.22s.
“That was a really good time. I thought if I could get to 58-mids here, with no crowd and not such a big atmosphere, I could do it anywhere,” explained Peaty.
“That would nearly have won Europeans and I'm on my backside. It's looking good. The stroke feels strong, training's going well, mentally I'm in a great place.”